Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

(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 men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

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

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

use to one's advantage

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

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

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Upon running to the stable-door he found it locked, and in the crowd and confusion the horse-keeper could not be found.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

a strong flame that burns brightly

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

the act of burning something

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably

From this reading Upon running to the stable-door he found it locked, and in the crowd and confusion the horse-keeper could not be found.

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

From this reading Upon running to the stable-door he found it locked, and in the crowd and confusion the horse-keeper could not be found.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading Upon running to the stable-door he found it locked, and in the crowd and confusion the horse-keeper could not be found.

(often used in combination) having a specified direction

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading Mr Inglis then rushed in and found the place full of smoke, and the poor horses trembling with fear.

past form of “fetch” — go or come after and bring or take back

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

nonresinous wood of a fir tree

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

start firing a weapon

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

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

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

set up or found

From this reading Upon running to the stable-door he found it locked, and in the crowd and confusion the horse-keeper could not be found.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Mr Inglis then rushed in and found the place full of smoke, and the poor horses trembling with fear.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Upon running to the stable-door he found it locked, and in the crowd and confusion the horse-keeper could not be found.

plural of “hinge” — a joint that holds two parts together so that one can swing relative to the other

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

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

From this reading Upon running to the stable-door he found it locked, and in the crowd and confusion the horse-keeper could not be found.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Mr Inglis then rushed in and found the place full of smoke, and the poor horses trembling with fear.

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

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

totally unlikely

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

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

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

conformity or harmony

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock

From this reading Upon running to the stable-door he found it locked, and in the crowd and confusion the horse-keeper could not be found.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

the force of workers available

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

a particular point in time

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

not any; not one

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Upon running to the stable-door he found it locked, and in the crowd and confusion the horse-keeper could not be found.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

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

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

on one occasion

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Mr Inglis then rushed in and found the place full of smoke, and the poor horses trembling with fear.

a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Mr Inglis then rushed in and found the place full of smoke, and the poor horses trembling with fear.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading Upon running to the stable-door he found it locked, and in the crowd and confusion the horse-keeper could not be found.

done under pressure

From this reading Mr Inglis then rushed in and found the place full of smoke, and the poor horses trembling with fear.

except for; apart from

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading Mr Inglis then rushed in and found the place full of smoke, and the poor horses trembling with fear.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

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

From this reading Upon running to the stable-door he found it locked, and in the crowd and confusion the horse-keeper could not be found.

plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

an orderly pile

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

plural of “stroke” — (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

express in words

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

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

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Mr Inglis then rushed in and found the place full of smoke, and the poor horses trembling with fear.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

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

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

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

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

in the direction of

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

the act of going from one place to another

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

a shaky motion

From this reading Mr Inglis then rushed in and found the place full of smoke, and the poor horses trembling with fear.

hard to endure

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Upon running to the stable-door he found it locked, and in the crowd and confusion the horse-keeper could not be found.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading There was not a moment to lose, for the roof was already on fire, so a fir pole was fetched, and used battering-ram fashion, so that the big door by a few strokes was sent off its hinges.

distance travelled per unit time

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

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

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

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

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.

a raging and rapidly spreading conflagration

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mr Inglis now directed his attention to the stables at the rear, towards which the flames were travelling with inconceivable velocity, the ground being nearly covered with loose straw, across which the flames ran like wildfire.

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

From this reading The men worked hard at keeping the sheet wet, but it was of no avail, for all at once a great portion of the burning stack tell down against the one they were trying to save, and in a few minutes the great sheet and the whole of the side of the stack beneath it were in a blaze.