used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
(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 directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
BURNSnounUS /bɜːrnz/
United States comedian and film actor (1896-1996)
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
checkverbUS /tʃek/
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
coalnounUS /koʊl/
fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
company'snounUS /ˈkʌmpəniz/
possessive form of “company” — an institution created to conduct business
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
conflagrationnounUS /ˌkɑːnfləˈɡreɪʃən/
a very intense and uncontrolled fire
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
diminishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/
impaired by diminution
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
directorsnounUS /dərˈektərz/
plural of “director” — someone who controls resources and expenditures
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
entrancesnounUS /ˈentrənsəz/
plural of “entrance” — something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
divisible by two
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
evermoreadverbUS /ˈevərmɔːr/
at any future time; in the future
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
extinguishedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
of a conditioned response; caused to die out because of the absence or withdrawal of reinforcement
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
start firing a weapon
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
forgeverbUS /fɔːrdʒ/
create by hammering
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
fulfilledadjectiveUS /fʊlˈfɪld/
completed to perfection
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
the act of acquiring something
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
in a gradual manner
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
heatedadjectiveUS /ˈhiːtəd/
made warm or hot (“het” is a dialectal variant of “heated”)
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
heaternounUS /ˈhiːtər/
device that heats water or supplies warmth to a room
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
irremediableadjectiveUS /ˌɪrɪˈmiːdiəbəl/
impossible to remedy or correct or redress
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
conformity or harmony
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
absolutely essential
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
not any; not one
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
openingsnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋz/
plural of “opening” — an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
a full supply
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
preventingverbUS /prɪˈventɪŋ/
-ing form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
Saffran's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
seethingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːðɪŋ/
in constant agitation
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
shaftsnounUS /ʃæfts/
plural of “shaft” — a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
express in words
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
in or at that place or location
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
UNDERprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
underneathprepositionUS /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/
directly under, often hidden by what is above
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE GROUND BURNS UNDER HIS FEET Peter Saffran's curse seemed likely to be fulfilled: "Upon this field no grass shall grow for evermore."
vaultsnounUS /vɔːlts/
plural of “vault” — a burial chamber (usually underground)
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
nonexistent
From this reading On the other hand, there was the irremediable evil that the supply of coal gradually diminished; even the necessary material for keeping the forge heated was wanting.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
at the time that
From this reading The directors of the company's mine believed that when they closed all the entrances and openings to the shafts and vaults, they had given, by so doing, a check to the conflagration; by preventing the current of the outer air from getting in, they felt sure the fire must in a short time be extinguished.
which person or people
From this reading It was true the green grass grew still upon the field, but who could tell what was seething underneath, in the bosom of the earth?
in the company of; together with
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They tried to heat it with wood--there were plenty of trees in the forest--but without coal the heater would not work, and much iron was lost in consequence.
