used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Langdale establishment, changed into a furnace, belched forth torrents of fire at every aperture.
(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 roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GAMES OF DEATH AND CHANCE.
anomalousadjectiveUS /əˈnɑːmələs/
deviating from the general or common order or type
From this reading Before the vast blazing pile a hideous, anomalous mob clad in indescribable rags and tatters, danced with furious, drunken joy.
aperturenounUS /ˈæpərtʃər/
a device that controls amount of light admitted
From this reading The Langdale establishment, changed into a furnace, belched forth torrents of fire at every aperture.
archnounUS /ɑːrtʃ/
a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Langdale establishment, changed into a furnace, belched forth torrents of fire at every aperture.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Several hours earlier the great hogsheads which had been dragged out of the distillery had been knocked in the head without ceremony, and every one had drunk his fill.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the vast blazing pile a hideous, anomalous mob clad in indescribable rags and tatters, danced with furious, drunken joy.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
belchedverbUS /beltʃt/
past form of “belch” — expel gas from the stomach
From this reading The Langdale establishment, changed into a furnace, belched forth torrents of fire at every aperture.
blazingadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading Before the vast blazing pile a hideous, anomalous mob clad in indescribable rags and tatters, danced with furious, drunken joy.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading Several hours earlier the great hogsheads which had been dragged out of the distillery had been knocked in the head without ceremony, and every one had drunk his fill.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading GAMES OF DEATH AND CHANCE.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading The Langdale establishment, changed into a furnace, belched forth torrents of fire at every aperture.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
cladadjectiveUS /klæd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Before the vast blazing pile a hideous, anomalous mob clad in indescribable rags and tatters, danced with furious, drunken joy.
curvedadjectiveUS /kɜːrvd/
having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading Before the vast blazing pile a hideous, anomalous mob clad in indescribable rags and tatters, danced with furious, drunken joy.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading GAMES OF DEATH AND CHANCE.
delugenounUS /ˈdeljuːdʒ/
an overwhelming number or amount
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
devouringadjectiveUS /dɪˈvaʊərɪŋ/
(often followed by “for”) ardently or excessively desirous
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
distillerynounUS /dɪˈstɪləri/
a plant and works where alcoholic drinks are made by distillation
From this reading Several hours earlier the great hogsheads which had been dragged out of the distillery had been knocked in the head without ceremony, and every one had drunk his fill.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading Several hours earlier the great hogsheads which had been dragged out of the distillery had been knocked in the head without ceremony, and every one had drunk his fill.
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading Several hours earlier the great hogsheads which had been dragged out of the distillery had been knocked in the head without ceremony, and every one had drunk his fill.
drunkenadjectiveUS /ˈdrʌŋkən/
given to or marked by the consumption of alcohol
From this reading Before the vast blazing pile a hideous, anomalous mob clad in indescribable rags and tatters, danced with furious, drunken joy.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading Several hours earlier the great hogsheads which had been dragged out of the distillery had been knocked in the head without ceremony, and every one had drunk his fill.
establishmentnounUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/
the act of forming or establishing something
From this reading The Langdale establishment, changed into a furnace, belched forth torrents of fire at every aperture.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The Langdale establishment, changed into a furnace, belched forth torrents of fire at every aperture.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading Several hours earlier the great hogsheads which had been dragged out of the distillery had been knocked in the head without ceremony, and every one had drunk his fill.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The Langdale establishment, changed into a furnace, belched forth torrents of fire at every aperture.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The Langdale establishment, changed into a furnace, belched forth torrents of fire at every aperture.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
furiousadjectiveUS /ˈfjʊriəs/
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading Before the vast blazing pile a hideous, anomalous mob clad in indescribable rags and tatters, danced with furious, drunken joy.
furnacenounUS /ˈfɜːrnəs/
an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to heat buildings, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc.
From this reading The Langdale establishment, changed into a furnace, belched forth torrents of fire at every aperture.
GAMESnounUS /ɡeɪmz/
plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading GAMES OF DEATH AND CHANCE.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Several hours earlier the great hogsheads which had been dragged out of the distillery had been knocked in the head without ceremony, and every one had drunk his fill.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
hideousadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdiəs/
grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
From this reading Before the vast blazing pile a hideous, anomalous mob clad in indescribable rags and tatters, danced with furious, drunken joy.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Several hours earlier the great hogsheads which had been dragged out of the distillery had been knocked in the head without ceremony, and every one had drunk his fill.
hogsheads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several hours earlier the great hogsheads which had been dragged out of the distillery had been knocked in the head without ceremony, and every one had drunk his fill.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Several hours earlier the great hogsheads which had been dragged out of the distillery had been knocked in the head without ceremony, and every one had drunk his fill.
impedimentnounUS /ˌɪmˈpedəmənt/
something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
indescribableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈskraɪbəbəl/
defying expression or description
From this reading Before the vast blazing pile a hideous, anomalous mob clad in indescribable rags and tatters, danced with furious, drunken joy.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The Langdale establishment, changed into a furnace, belched forth torrents of fire at every aperture.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Before the vast blazing pile a hideous, anomalous mob clad in indescribable rags and tatters, danced with furious, drunken joy.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading Several hours earlier the great hogsheads which had been dragged out of the distillery had been knocked in the head without ceremony, and every one had drunk his fill.
Langdale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Langdale establishment, changed into a furnace, belched forth torrents of fire at every aperture.
lashedverbUS /læʃt/
past form of “lash” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
mobnounUS /mɑːb/
a disorderly crowd of people
From this reading Before the vast blazing pile a hideous, anomalous mob clad in indescribable rags and tatters, danced with furious, drunken joy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GAMES OF DEATH AND CHANCE.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Several hours earlier the great hogsheads which had been dragged out of the distillery had been knocked in the head without ceremony, and every one had drunk his fill.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading Before the vast blazing pile a hideous, anomalous mob clad in indescribable rags and tatters, danced with furious, drunken joy.
ragsnounUS /ræɡz/
plural of “rag” — a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading Before the vast blazing pile a hideous, anomalous mob clad in indescribable rags and tatters, danced with furious, drunken joy.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Several hours earlier the great hogsheads which had been dragged out of the distillery had been knocked in the head without ceremony, and every one had drunk his fill.
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
tattersnounUS /ˈtætərz/
plural of “tatter” — a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading Before the vast blazing pile a hideous, anomalous mob clad in indescribable rags and tatters, danced with furious, drunken joy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Langdale establishment, changed into a furnace, belched forth torrents of fire at every aperture.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
torrentsnounUS /ˈtɔːrənts/
plural of “torrent” — a heavy rain
From this reading The Langdale establishment, changed into a furnace, belched forth torrents of fire at every aperture.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Before the vast blazing pile a hideous, anomalous mob clad in indescribable rags and tatters, danced with furious, drunken joy.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The roof had fallen, and the flames ascended free of all impediment in one great sheet, which, being lashed by the wind at a certain height, curved into an arch and threatened to deluge the city with a devouring rain.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Several hours earlier the great hogsheads which had been dragged out of the distillery had been knocked in the head without ceremony, and every one had drunk his fill.
