AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
aheadadverbUS /əˈhed/
at or in the front
From this reading Tom clung to his swivel-seat, staring ahead.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading There was a mighty jerk that brought a shout from Ned Newton's lips and a grunt from Mr. Damon.
builtadjectiveUS /bɪlt/
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
cabnounUS /kæb/
a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
ChaseverbUS /tʃeɪs/
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading Tom clung to his swivel-seat, staring ahead.
DamonnounUS /ˈdeɪmən/
the friend of Phintias who pledged his life that Phintias would return (4th century BC)
From this reading There was a mighty jerk that brought a shout from Ned Newton's lips and a grunt from Mr. Damon.
DesperateadjectiveUS /ˈdesprɪt/
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
ditchnounUS /dɪtʃ/
a long narrow excavation in the earth
From this reading The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
driversnounUS /ˈdraɪvərz/
plural of “driver” — the operator of a motor vehicle
From this reading The pilot of the electric locomotive shot over on the siding; the forward trucks followed, then the great drivers.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The pilot of the electric locomotive shot over on the siding; the forward trucks followed, then the great drivers.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/
at or to or toward the front
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
fraughtadjectiveUS /frɔːt/
marked by distress
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was a mighty jerk that brought a shout from Ned Newton's lips and a grunt from Mr. Damon.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The pilot of the electric locomotive shot over on the siding; the forward trucks followed, then the great drivers.
gruntnounUS /ɡrʌnt/
the short low gruff noise of the kind made by hogs
From this reading There was a mighty jerk that brought a shout from Ned Newton's lips and a grunt from Mr. Damon.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Tom clung to his swivel-seat, staring ahead.
hugeadjectiveUS /hjuːdʒ/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
jerkverbUS /dʒɜːrk/
pull, or move with a sudden movement
From this reading There was a mighty jerk that brought a shout from Ned Newton's lips and a grunt from Mr. Damon.
jumpverbUS /dʒʌmp/
move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
lipsnounUS /lɪps/
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading There was a mighty jerk that brought a shout from Ned Newton's lips and a grunt from Mr. Damon.
locomotivenounUS /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/
a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
machinenounUS /məˈʃiːn/
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
mightyadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪti/
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading There was a mighty jerk that brought a shout from Ned Newton's lips and a grunt from Mr. Damon.
momentsnounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
monsternounUS /ˈmɑːnstər/
an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
From this reading The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading There was a mighty jerk that brought a shout from Ned Newton's lips and a grunt from Mr. Damon.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a mighty jerk that brought a shout from Ned Newton's lips and a grunt from Mr. Damon.
Newton'snounUS /ˈnuːtənz/
possessive form of “newton” — English mathematician and physicist; remembered for developing the calculus and for his law of gravitation and his three laws of motion (1642-1727)
From this reading There was a mighty jerk that brought a shout from Ned Newton's lips and a grunt from Mr. Damon.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The pilot of the electric locomotive shot over on the siding; the forward trucks followed, then the great drivers.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The pilot of the electric locomotive shot over on the siding; the forward trucks followed, then the great drivers.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
pilotverbUS /ˈpaɪlət/
operate an airplane
From this reading The pilot of the electric locomotive shot over on the siding; the forward trucks followed, then the great drivers.
railsnounUS /reɪlz/
a bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll
From this reading The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
remainedverbUS /rɪˈmeɪnd/
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
shotnounUS /ʃɑːt/
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The pilot of the electric locomotive shot over on the siding; the forward trucks followed, then the great drivers.
shoutverbUS /ʃaʊt/
utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking)
From this reading There was a mighty jerk that brought a shout from Ned Newton's lips and a grunt from Mr. Damon.
sidingnounUS /ˈsaɪdɪŋ/
a short stretch of railroad track used to store rolling stock or enable trains on the same line to pass
From this reading The pilot of the electric locomotive shot over on the siding; the forward trucks followed, then the great drivers.
staringadjectiveUS /ˈsterɪŋ/
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Tom clung to his swivel-seat, staring ahead.
struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
swervedverbUS /swɜːrvd/
past form of “swerve” — turn sharply; change direction abruptly
From this reading The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
SwiftadjectiveUS /swɪft/
moving very fast
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
switchverbUS /swɪtʃ/
change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
swivel-seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom clung to his swivel-seat, staring ahead.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The pilot of the electric locomotive shot over on the siding; the forward trucks followed, then the great drivers.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a mighty jerk that brought a shout from Ned Newton's lips and a grunt from Mr. Damon.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
TomnounUS /tɑːm/
male cat
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
trucksnounUS /trʌks/
plural of “truck” — an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a mighty jerk that brought a shout from Ned Newton's lips and a grunt from Mr. Damon.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A Desperate Chase These moments were fraught with peril, and not alone peril to the huge machine that Tom Swift had built, but peril to those who remained in the cab of the electric locomotive, as her forward trucks struck the open switch.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The whole locomotive swerved into the siding, but for several breathless seconds Tom was not at all sure that the monster would not jump the rails and head into the ditch!
