used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TOM SWIFT sank wearily into a chair, facing his damaged talking-picture machine.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “Maybe, after all,” mused Tom, “this will turn out better than it looked at first sight.
(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 “Maybe, after all,” mused Tom, “this will turn out better than it looked at first sight.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
apparatusnounUS /ˌæpərˈætəs/
equipment designed to serve a specific function
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
ashesnounUS /ˈæʃ.ɪz/
The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Maybe, after all,” mused Tom, “this will turn out better than it looked at first sight.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
(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 But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading TOM SWIFT sank wearily into a chair, facing his damaged talking-picture machine.
changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
damagedadjectiveUS /ˈdæmədʒd/
harmed or injured or spoiled
From this reading TOM SWIFT sank wearily into a chair, facing his damaged talking-picture machine.
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
divisible by two
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
opinion or judgment
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
fabledadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪbəld/
celebrated in fable or legend
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading TOM SWIFT sank wearily into a chair, facing his damaged talking-picture machine.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “Maybe, after all,” mused Tom, “this will turn out better than it looked at first sight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
the act of departing
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
grimlyadverbUS /ˈɡrɪmli/
in a grim implacable manner
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TOM SWIFT sank wearily into a chair, facing his damaged talking-picture machine.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
improvementsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənts/
plural of “improvement” — a change for the better; progress in development
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading TOM SWIFT sank wearily into a chair, facing his damaged talking-picture machine.
inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/
the creation of something in the mind
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
inventornounUS /ˌɪnˈventər/
someone who is the first to think of or make something
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “Maybe, after all,” mused Tom, “this will turn out better than it looked at first sight.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading TOM SWIFT sank wearily into a chair, facing his damaged talking-picture machine.
by chance
From this reading “Maybe, after all,” mused Tom, “this will turn out better than it looked at first sight.
mentallyadverbUS /ˈmentəli/
in your mind
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
musedverbUS /mjuːzd/
past form of “muse” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading “Maybe, after all,” mused Tom, “this will turn out better than it looked at first sight.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “Maybe, after all,” mused Tom, “this will turn out better than it looked at first sight.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
PhoenixnounUS /ˈfiːnɪks/
the state capital and largest city located in south central Arizona; situated in a former desert that has become a prosperous agricultural area thanks to irrigation
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
plaineradjectiveUS /ˈpleɪnər/
comparative of “plain” — clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
ralliedverbUS /ˈrælid/
inflected form of “rally” — gather
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
ruinsnounUS /ˈruːənz/
plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading TOM SWIFT sank wearily into a chair, facing his damaged talking-picture machine.
cut with a saw
From this reading But Tom rallied and from the ruins of his invention saw mentally, rising like the fabled Phoenix from its own ashes, a new and better piece of apparatus.
in a serious manner
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading “Maybe, after all,” mused Tom, “this will turn out better than it looked at first sight.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
in the near future
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I already have an idea for some improvements in the new machine I’m going to start—as soon as I’m able,” he added somewhat grimly.
moving very fast
From this reading TOM SWIFT sank wearily into a chair, facing his damaged talking-picture machine.
talking-picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TOM SWIFT sank wearily into a chair, facing his damaged talking-picture machine.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Maybe, after all,” mused Tom, “this will turn out better than it looked at first sight.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
male cat
From this reading TOM SWIFT sank wearily into a chair, facing his damaged talking-picture machine.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading “Maybe, after all,” mused Tom, “this will turn out better than it looked at first sight.
precisely as stated
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
wearilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a weary manner
From this reading TOM SWIFT sank wearily into a chair, facing his damaged talking-picture machine.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
which person or people
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Maybe, after all,” mused Tom, “this will turn out better than it looked at first sight.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading That it was very seriously damaged was plainer to the eyes of the young inventor than to those even of his father, who was one of three persons aware of what great changes the new machine was destined to bring about.
