used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Why are you so sure that there is a firebug?” asked Bill.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air was entirely clear of smoke and it looked as if the fire season was over.
(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 tourists have all cleared out of the forest with the rains, thereby eliminating any further trouble with them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “The tourists have all cleared out of the forest with the rains, thereby eliminating any further trouble with them.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Why are you so sure that there is a firebug?” asked Bill.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The air was entirely clear of smoke and it looked as if the fire season was over.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Why are you so sure that there is a firebug?” asked Bill.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading “Why are you so sure that there is a firebug?” asked Bill.
the act of burning something
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The air was entirely clear of smoke and it looked as if the fire season was over.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading “The tourists have all cleared out of the forest with the rains, thereby eliminating any further trouble with them.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
being one more than ten
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
eliminatingverbUS /ɪˈlɪməneɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “eliminate” — terminate, end, or take out
From this reading “The tourists have all cleared out of the forest with the rains, thereby eliminating any further trouble with them.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The air was entirely clear of smoke and it looked as if the fire season was over.
FingeredadjectiveUS /ˈfɪŋɡərd/
having or resembling a finger or fingers; often used in combination
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The air was entirely clear of smoke and it looked as if the fire season was over.
firebugnounUS /ˈfaɪərbʌɡ/
a criminal who illegally sets fire to property
From this reading “Why are you so sure that there is a firebug?” asked Bill.
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading “The tourists have all cleared out of the forest with the rains, thereby eliminating any further trouble with them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “The tourists have all cleared out of the forest with the rains, thereby eliminating any further trouble with them.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The air was entirely clear of smoke and it looked as if the fire season was over.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Why are you so sure that there is a firebug?” asked Bill.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The air was entirely clear of smoke and it looked as if the fire season was over.
a small worthless amount
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The air was entirely clear of smoke and it looked as if the fire season was over.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “The tourists have all cleared out of the forest with the rains, thereby eliminating any further trouble with them.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
rainsnounUS /reɪnz/
plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading “The tourists have all cleared out of the forest with the rains, thereby eliminating any further trouble with them.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
Roseburg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
Sanitaur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading The air was entirely clear of smoke and it looked as if the fire season was over.
Simmons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading The air was entirely clear of smoke and it looked as if the fire season was over.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Why are you so sure that there is a firebug?” asked Bill.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading “Why are you so sure that there is a firebug?” asked Bill.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Why are you so sure that there is a firebug?” asked Bill.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “Why are you so sure that there is a firebug?” asked Bill.
therebyadverbUS /ˈðerˈbaɪ/
by that means or because of that
From this reading “The tourists have all cleared out of the forest with the rains, thereby eliminating any further trouble with them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
touristsnounUS /ˈtʊrəsts/
plural of “tourist” — someone who travels for pleasure
From this reading “The tourists have all cleared out of the forest with the rains, thereby eliminating any further trouble with them.
a source of difficulty
From this reading “The tourists have all cleared out of the forest with the rains, thereby eliminating any further trouble with them.
twelfthadjectiveUS /twelfθ/
coming next after the eleventh and just before the thirteenth in position
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
at the time that
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Eleven of them were new ones which had been started by lightning, and the twelfth was the large one over near Three Fingered Jack in the Sanitaur Forest.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading “When we came back from Roseburg there were but twelve fires burning in the whole state,” replied Earl Simmons.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “Why are you so sure that there is a firebug?” asked Bill.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “The tourists have all cleared out of the forest with the rains, thereby eliminating any further trouble with them.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Why are you so sure that there is a firebug?” asked Bill.
