used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a moment it appeared that the wheels would not respond.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The driver of the oncoming car swung the wheel viciously about.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then they gripped the gravel and the automobile swerved, then shot past.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For a moment it appeared that the wheels would not respond.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Bits of sand and gravel were flung about the two boys as they crouched by their motorcycles at the edge of the embankment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Bits of sand and gravel were flung about the two boys as they crouched by their motorcycles at the edge of the embankment.
autonounUS /ˈɔːtoʊ/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading THE STOLEN ROADSTER The auto brakes squealed.
automobilenounUS /ˈɔːtəmoʊbiːl/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading Then they gripped the gravel and the automobile swerved, then shot past.
BitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Bits of sand and gravel were flung about the two boys as they crouched by their motorcycles at the edge of the embankment.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Bits of sand and gravel were flung about the two boys as they crouched by their motorcycles at the edge of the embankment.
brakesnounUS /breɪks/
a braking device consisting of a combination of interacting parts that work to slow a motor vehicle
From this reading THE STOLEN ROADSTER The auto brakes squealed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Bits of sand and gravel were flung about the two boys as they crouched by their motorcycles at the edge of the embankment.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading The driver of the oncoming car swung the wheel viciously about.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Bits of sand and gravel were flung about the two boys as they crouched by their motorcycles at the edge of the embankment.
the operator of a motor vehicle
From this reading The driver of the oncoming car swung the wheel viciously about.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Bits of sand and gravel were flung about the two boys as they crouched by their motorcycles at the edge of the embankment.
embankmentnounUS /emˈbæŋkmənt/
a long artificial mound of stone or earth; built to hold back water or to support a road or as protection
From this reading Bits of sand and gravel were flung about the two boys as they crouched by their motorcycles at the edge of the embankment.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading Bits of sand and gravel were flung about the two boys as they crouched by their motorcycles at the edge of the embankment.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment it appeared that the wheels would not respond.
gravelnounUS /ˈɡrævəl/
rock fragments and pebbles
From this reading Then they gripped the gravel and the automobile swerved, then shot past.
grippedverbUS /ɡrɪpt/
inflected form of “grip” — hold fast or firmly
From this reading Then they gripped the gravel and the automobile swerved, then shot past.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For a moment it appeared that the wheels would not respond.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment it appeared that the wheels would not respond.
motorcyclesnounUS /ˈmoʊtərsaɪkəlz/
plural of “motorcycle” — a motor vehicle with two wheels and a strong frame
From this reading Bits of sand and gravel were flung about the two boys as they crouched by their motorcycles at the edge of the embankment.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For a moment it appeared that the wheels would not respond.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The driver of the oncoming car swung the wheel viciously about.
oncomingadjectiveUS /ˈɔːnkʌmɪŋ/
moving toward one
From this reading The driver of the oncoming car swung the wheel viciously about.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Then they gripped the gravel and the automobile swerved, then shot past.
respondverbUS /rɪˈspɑːnd/
show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading For a moment it appeared that the wheels would not respond.
ROADSTERnounUS /ˈroʊdstər/
an open automobile having a front seat and a rumble seat
From this reading THE STOLEN ROADSTER The auto brakes squealed.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading Bits of sand and gravel were flung about the two boys as they crouched by their motorcycles at the edge of the embankment.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Then they gripped the gravel and the automobile swerved, then shot past.
squealed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STOLEN ROADSTER The auto brakes squealed.
inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent
From this reading THE STOLEN ROADSTER The auto brakes squealed.
swervedverbUS /swɜːrvd/
past form of “swerve” — turn sharply; change direction abruptly
From this reading Then they gripped the gravel and the automobile swerved, then shot past.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading The driver of the oncoming car swung the wheel viciously about.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For a moment it appeared that the wheels would not respond.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STOLEN ROADSTER The auto brakes squealed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Bits of sand and gravel were flung about the two boys as they crouched by their motorcycles at the edge of the embankment.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then they gripped the gravel and the automobile swerved, then shot past.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then they gripped the gravel and the automobile swerved, then shot past.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Bits of sand and gravel were flung about the two boys as they crouched by their motorcycles at the edge of the embankment.
viciouslyadverbUS /ˈvɪʃəsli/
in a vicious manner
From this reading The driver of the oncoming car swung the wheel viciously about.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Bits of sand and gravel were flung about the two boys as they crouched by their motorcycles at the edge of the embankment.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading The driver of the oncoming car swung the wheel viciously about.
wheelsnounUS /wiːlz/
plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
From this reading For a moment it appeared that the wheels would not respond.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For a moment it appeared that the wheels would not respond.
