used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
advancementnounUS /ədˈvænsmənt/
encouragement of the progress or growth or acceptance of something
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
a quantity of money
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
billionnounUS /ˈbɪljən/
the number that is represented as a one followed by 12 zeros; in the United Kingdom the usage followed in the United States is frequently seen
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Few people realize the tremendous business done by the railroads of the world.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
clatternounUS /ˈklætər/
a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
commercenounUS /ˈkɑːmərs/
transactions (sales and purchases) having the objective of supplying commodities (goods and services)
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
debtnounUS /det/
the state of owing something (especially money)
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
dispatchersnounUS /dɪˈspætʃərz/
plural of “dispatcher” — the official who signals the beginning of a race or competition
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
being one more than seven
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Few people realize the tremendous business done by the railroads of the world.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
forty-twoadjective
being two more than forty
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
freightnounUS /freɪt/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
the act of departing
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
ten 10s
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
inconceivableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkənˈsiːvəbəl/
totally unlikely
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
industrialadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌstriəl/
of or relating to or resulting from industry
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
keysnounUS /kiːz/
plural of “key” — metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
the force of workers available
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
mightiestadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪtiəst/
superlative of “mighty” — having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
mileagenounUS /ˈmaɪlədʒ/
distance measured in miles
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
millionnounUS /ˈmɪljən/
the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
used to form the superlative
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
passengernounUS /ˈpæsəndʒər/
a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Few people realize the tremendous business done by the railroads of the world.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
railroadsnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊdz/
plural of “railroad” — line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading Few people realize the tremendous business done by the railroads of the world.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading Few people realize the tremendous business done by the railroads of the world.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
roadsnounUS /roʊdz/
a partly sheltered anchorage
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
a special situation
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
TIME-CARD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
tonsnounUS /tʌnz/
a large number or amount
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
totalverbUS /ˈtoʊtəl/
add up in number or quantity
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
trainsnounUS /treɪnz/
plural of “train” — public transport provided by a line of railway cars coupled together and drawn by a locomotive
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading Few people realize the tremendous business done by the railroads of the world.
two times
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
well-disciplined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading THE NEW TIME-CARD SO, day by day, the work at the dispatchers’ office went on in its accustomed routine.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They were servants of the mightiest industrial force in the world, the thing which had done most for the development of commerce, the advancement of trade—the thing without which, in a word, the world of to-day would not be possible.
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 Always there was the clatter of the keys, always the trains pulling in and out of the yards, always the coming and going of men like a mighty and well-disciplined army.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading In the United States alone, in a single year, besides the eight hundred million passengers carried, a billion and a half tons of freight are moved, the total passenger and freight mileage reaching the inconceivable total of two hundred and forty-two billion, for which the roads received nearly two and a half billion dollars, or more than twice the amount of the national debt.
