used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading Allan gave him the letters addressed to him and hurried away to deliver the others.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
agentnounUS /ˈeɪdʒənt/
an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
Allan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Farther down the yards was the office of the yardmaster, a little, square, frame building, standing like an island amid the ocean of tracks which surrounded it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Farther down the yards was the office of the yardmaster, a little, square, frame building, standing like an island amid the ocean of tracks which surrounded it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Allan gave him the letters addressed to him and hurried away to deliver the others.
barrelnounUS /ˈbærəl/
a tube through which a bullet travels when a gun is fired
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
bricknounUS /brɪk/
rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
deliververbUS /dɪˈlɪvər/
deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading Allan gave him the letters addressed to him and hurried away to deliver the others.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Farther down the yards was the office of the yardmaster, a little, square, frame building, standing like an island amid the ocean of tracks which surrounded it.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
envelopesnounUS /ˈenvəloʊps/
plural of “envelope” — a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading Farther down the yards was the office of the yardmaster, a little, square, frame building, standing like an island amid the ocean of tracks which surrounded it.
set up or found
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading Farther down the yards was the office of the yardmaster, a little, square, frame building, standing like an island amid the ocean of tracks which surrounded it.
freightnounUS /freɪt/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
freight-handler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
freight-trains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Allan gave him the letters addressed to him and hurried away to deliver the others.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
grimyadjectiveUS /ˈɡraɪmi/
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Allan gave him the letters addressed to him and hurried away to deliver the others.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Allan gave him the letters addressed to him and hurried away to deliver the others.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
inquirynounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/
a search for knowledge
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Farther down the yards was the office of the yardmaster, a little, square, frame building, standing like an island amid the ocean of tracks which surrounded it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
and nothing more
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
the literary culture
From this reading Allan gave him the letters addressed to him and hurried away to deliver the others.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Farther down the yards was the office of the yardmaster, a little, square, frame building, standing like an island amid the ocean of tracks which surrounded it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Farther down the yards was the office of the yardmaster, a little, square, frame building, standing like an island amid the ocean of tracks which surrounded it.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading Farther down the yards was the office of the yardmaster, a little, square, frame building, standing like an island amid the ocean of tracks which surrounded it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Allan gave him the letters addressed to him and hurried away to deliver the others.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
packetnounUS /ˈpækət/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
free from harm or evil
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
ruefullyadverbUS /ˈruːfəli/
in a rueful manner
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
smashedadjectiveUS /smæʃt/
very drunk
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
make square
From this reading Farther down the yards was the office of the yardmaster, a little, square, frame building, standing like an island amid the ocean of tracks which surrounded it.
stairnounUS /ster/
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
having a supporting base
From this reading Farther down the yards was the office of the yardmaster, a little, square, frame building, standing like an island amid the ocean of tracks which surrounded it.
confined on all sides
From this reading Farther down the yards was the office of the yardmaster, a little, square, frame building, standing like an island amid the ocean of tracks which surrounded it.
switchesnounUS /ˈswɪtʃəz/
plural of “switch” — control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
tanglenounUS /ˈtæŋɡəl/
a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
tracksnounUS /træks/
plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
vigorousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪɡərəs/
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
From this reading After some inquiry, he found the freight agent gazing ruefully at a barrel of oil which had just been smashed to pieces by a too vigorous freight-handler.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
in or at the place that
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A RESCUE With the packet of envelopes in his hand, Allan descended the stair and came out upon the grimy platform.
yardmasternoun
a railroad employer who is in charge of a railway yard
From this reading Farther down the yards was the office of the yardmaster, a little, square, frame building, standing like an island amid the ocean of tracks which surrounded it.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Just across the yards lay the low, dark, brick building which was the freight office, and he made his way toward it over the tangle of tracks and switches, where the freight-trains were being "made up" to be sent east or west.
