used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I knew this was a difficult job, but it was not until after we started out that I knew _how_ difficult.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I knew this was a difficult job, but it was not until after we started out that I knew _how_ difficult.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
(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 First of all, I seemed to be leading too fast; then the pace would become too slow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Some of the machines seemed too close to me, and some too far away.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Some of the machines seemed too close to me, and some too far away.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading I wondered why it was that everyone should be flying so badly to-day except myself.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading First of all, I seemed to be leading too fast; then the pace would become too slow.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading First of all, I seemed to be leading too fast; then the pace would become too slow.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I knew this was a difficult job, but it was not until after we started out that I knew _how_ difficult.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Some of the machines seemed too close to me, and some too far away.
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
placed crosswise
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
designatedverbUS /ˈdezɪɡneɪtɪd/
past form of “designate” — assign a name or title to
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading I knew this was a difficult job, but it was not until after we started out that I knew _how_ difficult.
every person
From this reading I wondered why it was that everyone should be flying so badly to-day except myself.
apart from; not including
From this reading I wondered why it was that everyone should be flying so badly to-day except myself.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Some of the machines seemed too close to me, and some too far away.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading First of all, I seemed to be leading too fast; then the pace would become too slow.
fatesnounUS /feɪts/
plural of “fate” — an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
moving swiftly
From this reading I wondered why it was that everyone should be flying so badly to-day except myself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I knew this was a difficult job, but it was not until after we started out that I knew _how_ difficult.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I knew this was a difficult job, but it was not until after we started out that I knew _how_ difficult.
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading I knew this was a difficult job, but it was not until after we started out that I knew _how_ difficult.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I knew this was a difficult job, but it was not until after we started out that I knew _how_ difficult.
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading First of all, I seemed to be leading too fast; then the pace would become too slow.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
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 Some of the machines seemed too close to me, and some too far away.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I wondered why it was that everyone should be flying so badly to-day except myself.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I knew this was a difficult job, but it was not until after we started out that I knew _how_ difficult.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading First of all, I seemed to be leading too fast; then the pace would become too slow.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading I knew this was a difficult job, but it was not until after we started out that I knew _how_ difficult.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading First of all, I seemed to be leading too fast; then the pace would become too slow.
patrolnounUS /pəˈtroʊl/
a detachment used for security or reconnaissance
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading First of all, I seemed to be leading too fast; then the pace would become too slow.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I wondered why it was that everyone should be flying so badly to-day except myself.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading First of all, I seemed to be leading too fast; then the pace would become too slow.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some of the machines seemed too close to me, and some too far away.
squadronnounUS /ˈskwɑːdrən/
a cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops and headquarters and supporting arms
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I knew this was a difficult job, but it was not until after we started out that I knew _how_ difficult.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading First of all, I seemed to be leading too fast; then the pace would become too slow.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I knew this was a difficult job, but it was not until after we started out that I knew _how_ difficult.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The fates had been so kind to me in my first fight in the air, that the next time I crossed the lines my squadron commander had designated me as patrol leader.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wondered why it was that everyone should be flying so badly to-day except myself.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading First of all, I seemed to be leading too fast; then the pace would become too slow.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading I knew this was a difficult job, but it was not until after we started out that I knew _how_ difficult.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I knew this was a difficult job, but it was not until after we started out that I knew _how_ difficult.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I knew this was a difficult job, but it was not until after we started out that I knew _how_ difficult.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading I wondered why it was that everyone should be flying so badly to-day except myself.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading I wondered why it was that everyone should be flying so badly to-day except myself.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading First of all, I seemed to be leading too fast; then the pace would become too slow.
