used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A TERRIBLE BATTLE The Radio Boys found it harder now to fight against the onrushing flames.
acridadjectiveUS /ˈæk.rɪd/
Having an unpleasantly bitter or pungent taste or smell.
From this reading Terrible blasts of heat smote down upon them, while billows of acrid smoke threatened momentarily to overwhelm them.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A TERRIBLE BATTLE The Radio Boys found it harder now to fight against the onrushing flames.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading If it had been bad before, it was almost unendurable now.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading If it had been bad before, it was almost unendurable now.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading A TERRIBLE BATTLE The Radio Boys found it harder now to fight against the onrushing flames.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading If it had been bad before, it was almost unendurable now.
billowsnounUS /ˈbɪloʊz/
plural of “billow” — a large sea wave
From this reading Terrible blasts of heat smote down upon them, while billows of acrid smoke threatened momentarily to overwhelm them.
blastsnounUS /blæsts/
plural of “blast” — a very long fly ball
From this reading Terrible blasts of heat smote down upon them, while billows of acrid smoke threatened momentarily to overwhelm them.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading A TERRIBLE BATTLE The Radio Boys found it harder now to fight against the onrushing flames.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
chokingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃoʊ.kɪŋ/
Causing difficulty in breathing.
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
clutchingverbUS /ˈklʌtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Terrible blasts of heat smote down upon them, while billows of acrid smoke threatened momentarily to overwhelm them.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
fieryadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪəri/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading A TERRIBLE BATTLE The Radio Boys found it harder now to fight against the onrushing flames.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading A TERRIBLE BATTLE The Radio Boys found it harder now to fight against the onrushing flames.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
set up or found
From this reading A TERRIBLE BATTLE The Radio Boys found it harder now to fight against the onrushing flames.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
GaspingverbUS /ˈɡæspɪŋ/
-ing form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
harderadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdər/
comparative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor
From this reading A TERRIBLE BATTLE The Radio Boys found it harder now to fight against the onrushing flames.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If it had been bad before, it was almost unendurable now.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
infernonounUS /ˌɪnˈfɜːrnoʊ/
any place of pain and turmoil
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A TERRIBLE BATTLE The Radio Boys found it harder now to fight against the onrushing flames.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
momentarilyadverbUS /ˌmoʊmənˈterəli/
for an instant or moment
From this reading Terrible blasts of heat smote down upon them, while billows of acrid smoke threatened momentarily to overwhelm them.
momentaryadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊmənteri/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A TERRIBLE BATTLE The Radio Boys found it harder now to fight against the onrushing flames.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
on one occasion
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
onrushing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE BATTLE The Radio Boys found it harder now to fight against the onrushing flames.
overwhelmverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelm/
overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli
From this reading Terrible blasts of heat smote down upon them, while billows of acrid smoke threatened momentarily to overwhelm them.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
RadionounUS /ˈreɪdioʊ/
medium for communication
From this reading A TERRIBLE BATTLE The Radio Boys found it harder now to fight against the onrushing flames.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
searingadjectiveUS /ˈsɪrɪŋ/
severely critical
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
the act of searching for something
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
smote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Terrible blasts of heat smote down upon them, while billows of acrid smoke threatened momentarily to overwhelm them.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading A TERRIBLE BATTLE The Radio Boys found it harder now to fight against the onrushing flames.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A TERRIBLE BATTLE The Radio Boys found it harder now to fight against the onrushing flames.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Terrible blasts of heat smote down upon them, while billows of acrid smoke threatened momentarily to overwhelm them.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading Terrible blasts of heat smote down upon them, while billows of acrid smoke threatened momentarily to overwhelm them.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A TERRIBLE BATTLE The Radio Boys found it harder now to fight against the onrushing flames.
tormentnounUS /ˈtɔːrment/
unbearable physical pain
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
unendurableadjective
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading If it had been bad before, it was almost unendurable now.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Terrible blasts of heat smote down upon them, while billows of acrid smoke threatened momentarily to overwhelm them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Terrible blasts of heat smote down upon them, while billows of acrid smoke threatened momentarily to overwhelm them.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading They had entered the battle full of fresh strength and energy, but now that had been in a large measure spent, and it was on sheer will power that they flung themselves once more into the inferno of heat and smoke.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Gasping and choking, with the hot fingers of fiery destruction clutching at them, they threw themselves face downward on the ground, seeking momentary relief from the searing torment.
