Chapter XXII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

(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 Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

the event of one object coming closer to another

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At least three hundred stores were in flames.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

shining intensely

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

show off

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

army unit smaller than a division

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

the act of burning something

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.

(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

(often used in combination) having a specified direction

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

start firing a weapon

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke

From this reading At least three hundred stores were in flames.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

United States playwright who collaborated with George S. Kaufman (1904-1961)

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

socks and stockings and tights collectively (the British include underwear)

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

ten 10s

From this reading At least three hundred stores were in flames.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.

plural of “jaw” — the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth

From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading At least three hundred stores were in flames.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

a form of address for a man

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.

salty fluid secreted by sweat glands

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

flowing profusely

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

tense with excitement and enthusiasm as from a rush of adrenaline

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

plural of “rafter” — one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading At least three hundred stores were in flames.

successive (without a break)

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

in or at that place or location

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading At least three hundred stores were in flames.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

in the direction of

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

an administrative division of a county

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

tell voluntarily

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading At least three hundred stores were in flames.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

which person or people

From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.