used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading And so there is about the road something terrible and remorseless.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading THE FIRST LESSON The dispatchers' office is, as has already been remarked, the brain of the railroad.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE FIRST LESSON The dispatchers' office is, as has already been remarked, the brain of the railroad.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Let the brain be inefficient, and this movement becomes clogged and uncertain; traffic no longer flows smoothly, as it does when the brain is well.
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Let the brain be inefficient, and this movement becomes clogged and uncertain; traffic no longer flows smoothly, as it does when the brain is well.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE FIRST LESSON The dispatchers' office is, as has already been remarked, the brain of the railroad.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading THE FIRST LESSON The dispatchers' office is, as has already been remarked, the brain of the railroad.
breaksnounUS /breɪks/
plural of “break” — some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
circulatingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrkjəleɪtɪŋ/
passing from one to another
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
cloggedadjectiveUS /klɔːɡd/
thickened or coalesced in soft thick lumps (such as clogs or clots)
From this reading Let the brain be inefficient, and this movement becomes clogged and uncertain; traffic no longer flows smoothly, as it does when the brain is well.
dispatchersnounUS /dɪˈspætʃərz/
plural of “dispatcher” — the official who signals the beginning of a race or competition
From this reading THE FIRST LESSON The dispatchers' office is, as has already been remarked, the brain of the railroad.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Let the brain be inefficient, and this movement becomes clogged and uncertain; traffic no longer flows smoothly, as it does when the brain is well.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE FIRST LESSON The dispatchers' office is, as has already been remarked, the brain of the railroad.
flowsnounUS /floʊz/
plural of “flow” — the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading Let the brain be inefficient, and this movement becomes clogged and uncertain; traffic no longer flows smoothly, as it does when the brain is well.
FortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FIRST LESSON The dispatchers' office is, as has already been remarked, the brain of the railroad.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
inefficientadjectiveUS /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/
not producing desired results; wasteful
From this reading Let the brain be inefficient, and this movement becomes clogged and uncertain; traffic no longer flows smoothly, as it does when the brain is well.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FIRST LESSON The dispatchers' office is, as has already been remarked, the brain of the railroad.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
a unit of instruction
From this reading THE FIRST LESSON The dispatchers' office is, as has already been remarked, the brain of the railroad.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Let the brain be inefficient, and this movement becomes clogged and uncertain; traffic no longer flows smoothly, as it does when the brain is well.
for more time
From this reading Let the brain be inefficient, and this movement becomes clogged and uncertain; traffic no longer flows smoothly, as it does when the brain is well.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
not any; not one
From this reading Let the brain be inefficient, and this movement becomes clogged and uncertain; traffic no longer flows smoothly, as it does when the brain is well.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FIRST LESSON The dispatchers' office is, as has already been remarked, the brain of the railroad.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading THE FIRST LESSON The dispatchers' office is, as has already been remarked, the brain of the railroad.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
and nothing more
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
originateverbUS /ərˈɪdʒəneɪt/
come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading THE FIRST LESSON The dispatchers' office is, as has already been remarked, the brain of the railroad.
relatingverbUS /rɪˈleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “relate” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading THE FIRST LESSON The dispatchers' office is, as has already been remarked, the brain of the railroad.
remorselessadjectiveUS /rɪˈmɔːrsləs/
without mercy or pity
From this reading And so there is about the road something terrible and remorseless.
replacedverbUS /ˌriːˈpleɪst/
past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
smoothlyadverbUS /ˈsmuːðli/
with no problems or difficulties
From this reading Let the brain be inefficient, and this movement becomes clogged and uncertain; traffic no longer flows smoothly, as it does when the brain is well.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading And so there is about the road something terrible and remorseless.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading And so there is about the road something terrible and remorseless.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST LESSON The dispatchers' office is, as has already been remarked, the brain of the railroad.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Let the brain be inefficient, and this movement becomes clogged and uncertain; traffic no longer flows smoothly, as it does when the brain is well.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
trafficnounUS /ˈtræfɪk/
the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time
From this reading Let the brain be inefficient, and this movement becomes clogged and uncertain; traffic no longer flows smoothly, as it does when the brain is well.
trainsnounUS /treɪnz/
plural of “train” — public transport provided by a line of railway cars coupled together and drawn by a locomotive
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading Let the brain be inefficient, and this movement becomes clogged and uncertain; traffic no longer flows smoothly, as it does when the brain is well.
wearsnounUS /werz/
plural of “wear” — impairment resulting from long use
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Let the brain be inefficient, and this movement becomes clogged and uncertain; traffic no longer flows smoothly, as it does when the brain is well.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is there that all orders relating to the movement of trains originate; and these orders keep the blood circulating, as it were--keep the system alive.
at the time that
From this reading Let the brain be inefficient, and this movement becomes clogged and uncertain; traffic no longer flows smoothly, as it does when the brain is well.
which person or people
From this reading Fortunately, the brain of a railroad can be replaced when it breaks down or wears out, and in so far the road is superior to a mere human being, who has only one brain and can never, by any possible means, get another.
