used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We are waiting, waiting patiently until she fills.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading In the background, tall and sinister, two large gasometers.
balloonnounUS /bəˈluːn/
large tough nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air
From this reading It is the balloon not yet fully inflated, fed by two curling rubber tubes, that disappear in the direction of the gasworks.
BALLOON-TRIP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
completely unclothed
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
curlingnounUS /ˈkɜːrlɪŋ/
a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target
From this reading It is the balloon not yet fully inflated, fed by two curling rubber tubes, that disappear in the direction of the gasworks.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading It is the balloon not yet fully inflated, fed by two curling rubber tubes, that disappear in the direction of the gasworks.
disappearverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪr/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading It is the balloon not yet fully inflated, fed by two curling rubber tubes, that disappear in the direction of the gasworks.
edgedadjectiveUS /edʒd/
having a specified kind of border or edge
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
fednounUS /fed/
any federal law-enforcement officer
From this reading It is the balloon not yet fully inflated, fed by two curling rubber tubes, that disappear in the direction of the gasworks.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
fillsnounUS /fɪlz/
plural of “fill” — a quantity sufficient to satisfy
From this reading We are waiting, waiting patiently until she fills.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading It is the balloon not yet fully inflated, fed by two curling rubber tubes, that disappear in the direction of the gasworks.
gasometers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the background, tall and sinister, two large gasometers.
gasworksnoun
the workplace where coal gas is manufactured
From this reading It is the balloon not yet fully inflated, fed by two curling rubber tubes, that disappear in the direction of the gasworks.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the background, tall and sinister, two large gasometers.
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
inflatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfleɪtɪd/
enlarged beyond truth or reasonableness
From this reading It is the balloon not yet fully inflated, fed by two curling rubber tubes, that disappear in the direction of the gasworks.
inkyadjectiveUS /ˈɪŋki/
of the color of black ink
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is the balloon not yet fully inflated, fed by two curling rubber tubes, that disappear in the direction of the gasworks.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is the balloon not yet fully inflated, fed by two curling rubber tubes, that disappear in the direction of the gasworks.
set down according to a plan
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In the background, tall and sinister, two large gasometers.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
mammothadjectiveUS /ˈmæməθ/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
meadow-land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
missesnounUS /ˈmɪsəz/
plural of “miss” — a young female
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is the balloon not yet fully inflated, fed by two curling rubber tubes, that disappear in the direction of the gasworks.
oathnounUS /oʊθ/
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
passesnounUS /ˈpæsəz/
plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
patientlyadverbUS /ˈpeɪʃəntli/
with patience; in a patient manner
From this reading We are waiting, waiting patiently until she fills.
plungesnounUS /ˈplʌndʒɪz/
plural of “plunge” — a brief swim in water
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
risesnounUS /ˈraɪzəz/
plural of “rise” — a growth in strength or number or importance
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
rubbernounUS /ˈrʌbər/
an elastic material obtained from the latex sap of trees (especially trees of the genera Hevea and Ficus) that can be vulcanized and finished into a variety of products
From this reading It is the balloon not yet fully inflated, fed by two curling rubber tubes, that disappear in the direction of the gasworks.
sand-bags
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading We are waiting, waiting patiently until she fills.
sinisteradjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪstər/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading In the background, tall and sinister, two large gasometers.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading In the background, tall and sinister, two large gasometers.
tarpaulinnoun
waterproofed canvas
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the background, tall and sinister, two large gasometers.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
tomatonounUS /təˈmeɪtoʊ/
mildly acid red or yellow pulpy fruit eaten as a vegetable
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
tubesnounUS /tuːbz/
plural of “tube” — conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases
From this reading It is the balloon not yet fully inflated, fed by two curling rubber tubes, that disappear in the direction of the gasworks.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading In the background, tall and sinister, two large gasometers.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading We are waiting, waiting patiently until she fills.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading We are waiting, waiting patiently until she fills.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We are waiting, waiting patiently until she fills.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading In the center of the field a wide tarpaulin laid along the ground, and edged by a circle of sand-bags, from the midst of which there rises a great round shape, like a mammoth tomato.
wind-swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A BALLOON-TRIP BY NIGHT Imagine a great bare meadow-land, lonely, wind-swept, and dark with inky blackness, out of which there plunges an occasional hurrying figure, that misses one by inches and passes on with a muttered oath.
but in spite of that
From this reading It is the balloon not yet fully inflated, fed by two curling rubber tubes, that disappear in the direction of the gasworks.
