used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The sounds of movement began to be heard among the houses.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lights were lit, and doors opened.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
awakenverbUS /əˈweɪkən/
cause to become awake or conscious
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The sounds of movement began to be heard among the houses.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The sounds of movement began to be heard among the houses.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Lights were lit, and doors opened.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
engine-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
the act of departing
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The sounds of movement began to be heard among the houses.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The sounds of movement began to be heard among the houses.
humverbUS /hʌm/
sing with closed lips
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
issuingnounUS /ˈɪʃuːɪŋ/
the act of providing an item for general use or for official purposes (usually in quantity)
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Lights were lit, and doors opened.
provided with artificial light
From this reading Lights were lit, and doors opened.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading The sounds of movement began to be heard among the houses.
not any; not one
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
noisesnounUS /ˈnɔɪzɪz/
plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Lights were lit, and doors opened.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The sounds of movement began to be heard among the houses.
sparksnounUS /spɑːrks/
plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
stacknounUS /stæk/
an orderly pile
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
make steady
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The steady hum of machinery was more effective to awaken the inhabitants of the Fort than any scattered noises.
WEAPONSnounUS /ˈwepənz/
plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading WOMAN'S WEAPONS.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Lights were lit, and doors opened.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
which person or people
From this reading No one who looked out of doors could mistake what was going on, for a stream of sparks was now issuing from the engine-house stack.
WOMAN'SnounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading WOMAN'S WEAPONS.
