used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
acceptancenounUS /ækˈseptəns/
the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In answer Tom gave three toots of his own horn and the race was on.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading There was not another automobile in sight along a stretch of several miles, and no other train on the railroad.
react verbally
From this reading In answer Tom gave three toots of his own horn and the race was on.
automobilenounUS /ˈɔːtəmoʊbiːl/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading There was not another automobile in sight along a stretch of several miles, and no other train on the railroad.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
challengeverbUS /ˈtʃæləndʒ/
take exception to
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
comparativeadjectiveUS /kəmˈperətɪv/
relating to or based on or involving comparison
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
concreteadjectiveUS /kənˈkriːt/
capable of being perceived by the senses; not abstract or imaginary
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
CUNNINGHAMnounUS /ˈkʌnɪŋhæm/
United States dancer and choreographer (born in 1922)
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
devisedverbUS /dɪˈvaɪzd/
past form of “devise” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
the operator of a motor vehicle
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
freightnounUS /freɪt/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading In answer Tom gave three toots of his own horn and the race was on.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
highwaynounUS /ˈhaɪweɪ/
a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In answer Tom gave three toots of his own horn and the race was on.
hornnounUS /hɔːrn/
a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading In answer Tom gave three toots of his own horn and the race was on.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In answer Tom gave three toots of his own horn and the race was on.
indicateverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪt/
be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to have been made to order.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
locomotivenounUS /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/
a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
machinesnounUS /məˈʃiːnz/
plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It seemed to have been made to order.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading There was not another automobile in sight along a stretch of several miles, and no other train on the railroad.
not any; not one
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was not another automobile in sight along a stretch of several miles, and no other train on the railroad.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading It seemed to have been made to order.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There was not another automobile in sight along a stretch of several miles, and no other train on the railroad.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading In answer Tom gave three toots of his own horn and the race was on.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
any competition
From this reading In answer Tom gave three toots of his own horn and the race was on.
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 There was not another automobile in sight along a stretch of several miles, and no other train on the railroad.
respectiveadjectiveUS /rɪˈspektɪv/
considered individually
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading There was not another automobile in sight along a stretch of several miles, and no other train on the railroad.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading There was not another automobile in sight along a stretch of several miles, and no other train on the railroad.
speedwaynounUS /ˈspiːdweɪ/
road where high speed driving is allowed
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading There was not another automobile in sight along a stretch of several miles, and no other train on the railroad.
Swift'snounUS /swɪfts/
possessive form of “swift” — United States meat-packer who began the use of refrigerated railroad cars (1839-1903)
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
testnounUS /test/
trying something to find out about it
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was not another automobile in sight along a stretch of several miles, and no other train on the railroad.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
male cat
From this reading In answer Tom gave three toots of his own horn and the race was on.
tootsnounUS /tuːts/
plural of “toot” — a blast of a horn
From this reading In answer Tom gave three toots of his own horn and the race was on.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
create by training and teaching
From this reading There was not another automobile in sight along a stretch of several miles, and no other train on the railroad.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In answer Tom gave three toots of his own horn and the race was on.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
WheelsnounUS /wiːlz/
plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading No better speedway could have been devised for a test of the comparative powers of the fast freight and Tom Swift's House on Wheels than the concrete highway and the steel track along which the respective machines were now rushing.
whistlesnounUS /ˈwɪsəlz/
plural of “whistle” — the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading CUNNINGHAM ON THE WIRE Three sharp whistles from the locomotive seemed to indicate, on the part of its driver, an acceptance of the challenge.
