Chapter XXXVII

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

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

(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 As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Some of these people cried, while others were silent, and one man, on whom they stumbled, was lying at full length in an open doorway, unconscious from the effects of the smoke.

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

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

-ing form of “bark” — speak in an unfriendly tone

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

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

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

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

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

the act of burning something

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

box in which a corpse is buried or cremated

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

a person who is in charge

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

possessive form of “chief” — a person who is in charge

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

plural of “corridor” — an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading Some of these people cried, while others were silent, and one man, on whom they stumbled, was lying at full length in an open doorway, unconscious from the effects of the smoke.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading Some of these people cried, while others were silent, and one man, on whom they stumbled, was lying at full length in an open doorway, unconscious from the effects of the smoke.

put on clothes

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business

From this reading Some of these people cried, while others were silent, and one man, on whom they stumbled, was lying at full length in an open doorway, unconscious from the effects of the smoke.

past form of “encounter” — come together

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

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

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

made afraid

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Some of these people cried, while others were silent, and one man, on whom they stumbled, was lying at full length in an open doorway, unconscious from the effects of the smoke.

coins made of gold

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

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

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

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

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

situated within or suitable for inside a building

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

plural of “jewel” — a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

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 One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading Some of these people cried, while others were silent, and one man, on whom they stumbled, was lying at full length in an open doorway, unconscious from the effects of the smoke.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading Some of these people cried, while others were silent, and one man, on whom they stumbled, was lying at full length in an open doorway, unconscious from the effects of the smoke.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Some of these people cried, while others were silent, and one man, on whom they stumbled, was lying at full length in an open doorway, unconscious from the effects of the smoke.

at the same time but in another place

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

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

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

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

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

under a moral obligation to do something

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Some of these people cried, while others were silent, and one man, on whom they stumbled, was lying at full length in an open doorway, unconscious from the effects of the smoke.

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

From this reading Some of these people cried, while others were silent, and one man, on whom they stumbled, was lying at full length in an open doorway, unconscious from the effects of the smoke.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

above and across; more than

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

usually brightly colored zygodactyl tropical birds with short hooked beaks and the ability to mimic sounds

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Some of these people cried, while others were silent, and one man, on whom they stumbled, was lying at full length in an open doorway, unconscious from the effects of the smoke.

a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

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

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

the display of a motion picture

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading Some of these people cried, while others were silent, and one man, on whom they stumbled, was lying at full length in an open doorway, unconscious from the effects of the smoke.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily

From this reading Some of these people cried, while others were silent, and one man, on whom they stumbled, was lying at full length in an open doorway, unconscious from the effects of the smoke.

with obstinate determination

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

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

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Some of these people cried, while others were silent, and one man, on whom they stumbled, was lying at full length in an open doorway, unconscious from the effects of the smoke.

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

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

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

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

past form of “transpire” — pass through the tissue or substance or its pores or interstices, as of gas

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead

From this reading Some of these people cried, while others were silent, and one man, on whom they stumbled, was lying at full length in an open doorway, unconscious from the effects of the smoke.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

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

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.

look attentively

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

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

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

in or at the place that

From this reading Groping their way along through the corridors, sometimes finding the smoke so thick and black that they were obliged to crawl along on their hands and knees, they made the best of their way to the place where the fire was raging.

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

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

during the time that

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

which person or people

From this reading One lady, who had thrown a black silk dress over her night-clothes, carried a barking poodle-dog under her arm, while another clung tenaciously to a bird-cage, in which was a green parrot, although, as it afterwards transpired, she had left her gold watch and casket of jewels under the pillow of her bed.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading As they crawled along, they encountered a number of frightened guests, some of whom had come in from the fire-escape at the chief’s command, while nearly all of them were too much terrified to fairly understand what they were about.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Meanwhile our young hero—for hero he was truly showing himself to be—was following the chief into the interior of the dark and burning hotel.