used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
(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 stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
the act of burning something
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
collectedadjectiveUS /kəˈlektəd/
brought together in one place
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading This vacant space was purposely left, that the sufferings of the doomed might be prolonged, a species of cruelty common in Indian tortures.
cordnounUS /kɔːrd/
a line made of twisted fibers or threads
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
cracklingnounUS /ˈkræklɪŋ/
the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered
From this reading Snapping, crackling, roaring! the devouring flames rushed to their work of death!
crueltynounUS /ˈkruːlti/
a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering
From this reading This vacant space was purposely left, that the sufferings of the doomed might be prolonged, a species of cruelty common in Indian tortures.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Snapping, crackling, roaring! the devouring flames rushed to their work of death!
devouringadjectiveUS /dɪˈvaʊərɪŋ/
(often followed by “for”) ardently or excessively desirous
From this reading Snapping, crackling, roaring! the devouring flames rushed to their work of death!
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
doomedadjectiveUS /duːmd/
marked for certain death
From this reading This vacant space was purposely left, that the sufferings of the doomed might be prolonged, a species of cruelty common in Indian tortures.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
DurantnounUS /ˈdʊrənt/
United States historian (1885-1981)
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
eleventhadjectiveUS /ɪˈlevənθ/
coming next after the tenth and just before the twelfth in position
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
excruciatingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈskruːʃieɪtɪŋ/
extremely painful
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
fieryadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪəri/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
with resolute determination
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
flamesnounUS /fleɪmz/
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading Snapping, crackling, roaring! the devouring flames rushed to their work of death!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
forkedadjectiveUS /fɔːrkt/
resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
HamiltonnounUS /ˈhæməltən/
Irish mathematician (1806-1865)
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
hissingnounUS /ˈhɪsɪŋ/
a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
inchesnounUS /ˈɪntʃəz/
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading This vacant space was purposely left, that the sufferings of the doomed might be prolonged, a species of cruelty common in Indian tortures.
inflammableadjectiveUS /ɪnˈflæməbəl/
easily ignited
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
lashedverbUS /læʃt/
past form of “lash” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
leapingnounUS /ˈliːpɪŋ/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
the act of departing
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading This vacant space was purposely left, that the sufferings of the doomed might be prolonged, a species of cruelty common in Indian tortures.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading This vacant space was purposely left, that the sufferings of the doomed might be prolonged, a species of cruelty common in Indian tortures.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
used to form the superlative
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
murderingverbUS /ˈmɜːrdərɪŋ/
-ing form of “murder” — kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Snapping, crackling, roaring! the devouring flames rushed to their work of death!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
pilenounUS /paɪl/
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
pleadverbUS /pliːd/
appeal or request earnestly
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
prolongedadjectiveUS /prəˈlɔːŋd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading This vacant space was purposely left, that the sufferings of the doomed might be prolonged, a species of cruelty common in Indian tortures.
purposelyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrpəsli/
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading This vacant space was purposely left, that the sufferings of the doomed might be prolonged, a species of cruelty common in Indian tortures.
reflectionsnounUS /rɪˈflekʃənz/
plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
repentancenounUS /rɪˈpentəns/
remorse for your past conduct
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
roaringnounUS /ˈrɔːrɪŋ/
a deep prolonged loud noise
From this reading Snapping, crackling, roaring! the devouring flames rushed to their work of death!
done under pressure
From this reading Snapping, crackling, roaring! the devouring flames rushed to their work of death!
serpentsnounUS /ˈsɜːrpənts/
plural of “serpent” — limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
SnappingverbUS /ˈsnæpɪŋ/
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading Snapping, crackling, roaring! the devouring flames rushed to their work of death!
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
in the near future
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading This vacant space was purposely left, that the sufferings of the doomed might be prolonged, a species of cruelty common in Indian tortures.
spiresnounUS /spaɪrz/
plural of “spire” — a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
STAKEnounUS /steɪk/
(law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
sufferingsnounUS /ˈsʌfərɪŋz/
plural of “suffering” — a state of acute pain
From this reading This vacant space was purposely left, that the sufferings of the doomed might be prolonged, a species of cruelty common in Indian tortures.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Snapping, crackling, roaring! the devouring flames rushed to their work of death!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This vacant space was purposely left, that the sufferings of the doomed might be prolonged, a species of cruelty common in Indian tortures.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Snapping, crackling, roaring! the devouring flames rushed to their work of death!
tonguesnounUS /tʌŋz/
plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
torturesnounUS /ˈtɔːrtʃərz/
plural of “torture” — extreme mental distress
From this reading This vacant space was purposely left, that the sufferings of the doomed might be prolonged, a species of cruelty common in Indian tortures.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
vacantadjectiveUS /ˈveɪkənt/
void of intelligence or thought
From this reading This vacant space was purposely left, that the sufferings of the doomed might be prolonged, a species of cruelty common in Indian tortures.
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE BURNING STAKE The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into the ground.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Snapping, crackling, roaring! the devouring flames rushed to their work of death!
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
