used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
anew
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
arousedadjectiveUS /ərˈaʊzd/
aroused to action
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He held his left hand in his right, as though it were hurt.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
the act of burning something
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
chemicaladjectiveUS /ˈkeməkəl/
relating to or used in chemistry
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading Mr. Legrand had flung open the door, and he was greatly excited.
extinguishernounUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃər/
a manually operated device for extinguishing small fires
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
start firing a weapon
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading Mr. Legrand had flung open the door, and he was greatly excited.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
made afraid
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Mr. Legrand had flung open the door, and he was greatly excited.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He held his left hand in his right, as though it were hurt.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Legrand had flung open the door, and he was greatly excited.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He held his left hand in his right, as though it were hurt.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He held his left hand in his right, as though it were hurt.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
be the source of pain
From this reading He held his left hand in his right, as though it were hurt.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He held his left hand in his right, as though it were hurt.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He held his left hand in his right, as though it were hurt.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
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 He held his left hand in his right, as though it were hurt.
Legrand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Legrand had flung open the door, and he was greatly excited.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
Mayo's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
a form of address for a man
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Mr. Legrand had flung open the door, and he was greatly excited.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
patternounUS /ˈpætər/
plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
portersnounUS /ˈpɔːrtərz/
plural of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
racingnounUS /ˈreɪsɪŋ/
the sport of engaging in contests of speed
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
precisely, exactly
From this reading He held his left hand in his right, as though it were hurt.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
cut with a saw
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking)
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
squirtingadjectiveUS /ˈskwɜːrtɪŋ/
propelled violently in a usually narrow stream
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
stairwaynounUS /ˈsterweɪ/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He held his left hand in his right, as though it were hurt.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a patter of feet overhead and racing down the stairway came half a dozen frightened people.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He held his left hand in his right, as though it were hurt.
at the time that
From this reading There seemed little danger of the fire reaching the stairs, however; for when Ruth got to the lower hall the door of the burning office had been opened again, and she saw one of the porters squirting the chemical fire extinguisher upon the blaze.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They had been aroused by Mr. Mayo’s shout, and they knew that if the flames reached the stairway first they would be driven to the fire escape.
