used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "It has run about three miles since I left it," Wilbur said.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Then it was a difficulty to be overcome: now, it was a peril to be faced.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But before they reached the scene of the fire, Wilbur realized how different it was from the blaze he had left.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading But before they reached the scene of the fire, Wilbur realized how different it was from the blaze he had left.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
cracklingnounUS /ˈkræklɪŋ/
the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading But before they reached the scene of the fire, Wilbur realized how different it was from the blaze he had left.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading Then it was a difficulty to be overcome: now, it was a peril to be faced.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
eddying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading Then it was a difficulty to be overcome: now, it was a peril to be faced.
fieryadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪəri/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
start firing a weapon
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As yet the fire was not visible, save for the red-bronze glow seen through the trees reflected on the sky above.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading As yet the fire was not visible, save for the red-bronze glow seen through the trees reflected on the sky above.
in a gradual manner
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
gustnounUS /ɡʌst/
a strong current of air
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But before they reached the scene of the fire, Wilbur realized how different it was from the blaze he had left.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It has run about three miles since I left it," Wilbur said.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But before they reached the scene of the fire, Wilbur realized how different it was from the blaze he had left.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But before they reached the scene of the fire, Wilbur realized how different it was from the blaze he had left.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "It has run about three miles since I left it," Wilbur said.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
inspirationnounUS /ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən/
arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But before they reached the scene of the fire, Wilbur realized how different it was from the blaze he had left.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
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 But before they reached the scene of the fire, Wilbur realized how different it was from the blaze he had left.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading "It has run about three miles since I left it," Wilbur said.
monsternounUS /ˈmɑːnstər/
an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As yet the fire was not visible, save for the red-bronze glow seen through the trees reflected on the sky above.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Then it was a difficulty to be overcome: now, it was a peril to be faced.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As yet the fire was not visible, save for the red-bronze glow seen through the trees reflected on the sky above.
win a victory over
From this reading Then it was a difficulty to be overcome: now, it was a peril to be faced.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Then it was a difficulty to be overcome: now, it was a peril to be faced.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading But before they reached the scene of the fire, Wilbur realized how different it was from the blaze he had left.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading But before they reached the scene of the fire, Wilbur realized how different it was from the blaze he had left.
red-bronze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As yet the fire was not visible, save for the red-bronze glow seen through the trees reflected on the sky above.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading As yet the fire was not visible, save for the red-bronze glow seen through the trees reflected on the sky above.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading "It has run about three miles since I left it," Wilbur said.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "It has run about three miles since I left it," Wilbur said.
except for; apart from
From this reading As yet the fire was not visible, save for the red-bronze glow seen through the trees reflected on the sky above.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading But before they reached the scene of the fire, Wilbur realized how different it was from the blaze he had left.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading As yet the fire was not visible, save for the red-bronze glow seen through the trees reflected on the sky above.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading "It has run about three miles since I left it," Wilbur said.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading As yet the fire was not visible, save for the red-bronze glow seen through the trees reflected on the sky above.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then it was a difficulty to be overcome: now, it was a peril to be faced.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading "It has run about three miles since I left it," Wilbur said.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading As yet the fire was not visible, save for the red-bronze glow seen through the trees reflected on the sky above.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then it was a difficulty to be overcome: now, it was a peril to be faced.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading As yet the fire was not visible, save for the red-bronze glow seen through the trees reflected on the sky above.
twigsnounUS /twɪɡz/
plural of “twig” — a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading As yet the fire was not visible, save for the red-bronze glow seen through the trees reflected on the sky above.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF FIRE A subdued but fiery inspiration, as of some monster breathing deeply in the darkness, gradually made itself heard above the voices of the night, and an eddying gust brought from the distance the sound of twigs and branches crackling as they burned.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As yet the fire was not visible, save for the red-bronze glow seen through the trees reflected on the sky above.
Wilbur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But before they reached the scene of the fire, Wilbur realized how different it was from the blaze he had left.
but in spite of that
From this reading As yet the fire was not visible, save for the red-bronze glow seen through the trees reflected on the sky above.
