used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Ann was leaning against the windowless framework of the railway carriage, watching the valleys drop away, curve by curve, as the train climbed.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
Ann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ann was leaning against the windowless framework of the railway carriage, watching the valleys drop away, curve by curve, as the train climbed.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Ann was leaning against the windowless framework of the railway carriage, watching the valleys drop away, curve by curve, as the train climbed.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Far below lay the lake, a blue rift glimmering between pine-clad heights.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Far below lay the lake, a blue rift glimmering between pine-clad heights.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Far below lay the lake, a blue rift glimmering between pine-clad heights.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading Ann was leaning against the windowless framework of the railway carriage, watching the valleys drop away, curve by curve, as the train climbed.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading Ann was leaning against the windowless framework of the railway carriage, watching the valleys drop away, curve by curve, as the train climbed.
coachesnounUS /ˈkoʊtʃɪz/
plural of “coach” — (sports) someone in charge of training an athlete or a team
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
curvenounUS /kɜːrv/
the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading Ann was leaning against the windowless framework of the railway carriage, watching the valleys drop away, curve by curve, as the train climbed.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
DentsnounUS /dents/
plural of “dent” — an appreciable consequence (especially a lessening)
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
let fall to the ground
From this reading Ann was leaning against the windowless framework of the railway carriage, watching the valleys drop away, curve by curve, as the train climbed.
edgingnounUS /ˈedʒɪŋ/
border consisting of anything placed on the edge to finish something (such as a fringe on clothing or on a rug)
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
elephantnounUS /ˈeləfənt/
five-toed pachyderm
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Far below lay the lake, a blue rift glimmering between pine-clad heights.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
filamentnounUS /ˈfɪləmənt/
a very slender natural or synthetic fiber
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
frameworknounUS /ˈfreɪmwɜːrk/
a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
From this reading Ann was leaning against the windowless framework of the railway carriage, watching the valleys drop away, curve by curve, as the train climbed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
glimmeringnounUS /ˈɡlɪmərɪŋ/
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
From this reading Far below lay the lake, a blue rift glimmering between pine-clad heights.
heightsnounUS /haɪts/
a high place
From this reading Far below lay the lake, a blue rift glimmering between pine-clad heights.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
industriouslyadverb
in an industrious manner
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
labouredadjective
lacking natural ease
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading Far below lay the lake, a blue rift glimmering between pine-clad heights.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Far below lay the lake, a blue rift glimmering between pine-clad heights.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Ann was leaning against the windowless framework of the railway carriage, watching the valleys drop away, curve by curve, as the train climbed.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
Loup
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
miniaturenounUS /ˈmɪniətʃʊr/
painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
Montricheux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
not any; not one
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
pine-clad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far below lay the lake, a blue rift glimmering between pine-clad heights.
puffedadjectiveUS /pʌft/
gathered for protruding fullness
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
rack-and-pinion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
railwaynounUS /ˈreɪlweɪ/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
ridiculouslyadverbUS /rəˈdɪkjələsli/
so as to arouse or deserve laughter
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
riftnounUS /rɪft/
a gap between cloud masses
From this reading Far below lay the lake, a blue rift glimmering between pine-clad heights.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
specknounUS /spek/
a very small spot
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
spidernounUS /ˈspaɪdər/
predatory arachnid with eight legs, two poison fangs, two feelers, and usually two silk-spinning organs at the back end of the body; they spin silk to make cocoons for eggs or traps for prey
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
tiltedadjectiveUS /ˈtɪltɪd/
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading At its rear puffed a small engine, built in a curious tilted fashion, so that as it laboured industriously behind the coaches of the train it reminded one ridiculously of a baby elephant on its knees.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
the upper part of anything
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
tortuouslyadverb
with twists and turns
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
in the direction of
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
create by training and teaching
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
valleysnounUS /ˈvæliz/
plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Ann was leaning against the windowless framework of the railway carriage, watching the valleys drop away, curve by curve, as the train climbed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ann was leaning against the windowless framework of the railway carriage, watching the valleys drop away, curve by curve, as the train climbed.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Ann was leaning against the windowless framework of the railway carriage, watching the valleys drop away, curve by curve, as the train climbed.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The miniature train, edging its way along the track, appeared no more than a mere speck as it crept tortuously up towards the top.
windowless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ann was leaning against the windowless framework of the railway carriage, watching the valleys drop away, curve by curve, as the train climbed.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The rack-and-pinion railway from Montricheux to the Dents de Loup wound upward like a single filament flung round the mountains by some giant spider.
