used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
(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 To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
appalledadjectiveUS /əˈpɔːld/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
boomedverbUS /buːmd/
past form of “boom” — make a resonant sound, like artillery
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It would do nothing now but needlessly prolong my horrible torture.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
intentionally conceived
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
death-song
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It would do nothing now but needlessly prolong my horrible torture.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
divisible by two
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
fieryadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪəri/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
ghastlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡæstli/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
heathennounUS /ˈhiːðən/
a person who does not acknowledge your god
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
hissverbUS /hɪs/
make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
provoking horror
From this reading It would do nothing now but needlessly prolong my horrible torture.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
intermittentadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈmɪtənt/
stopping and starting at irregular intervals
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
intervenedverbUS /ˌɪntərˈviːnd/
past form of “intervene” — get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would do nothing now but needlessly prolong my horrible torture.
lava-flood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
liquidadjectiveUS /ˈlɪkwəd/
existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
lullverbUS /lʌl/
calm by deception
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
engage in
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
needlesslyadverbUS /ˈniːdləsli/
without need
From this reading It would do nothing now but needlessly prolong my horrible torture.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It would do nothing now but needlessly prolong my horrible torture.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It would do nothing now but needlessly prolong my horrible torture.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
on one occasion
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
prolongverbUS /prəˈlɔːŋ/
lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
From this reading It would do nothing now but needlessly prolong my horrible torture.
the possibility of future success
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
resounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
roastedadjectiveUS /ˈroʊstəd/
(meat) cooked by dry heat in an oven
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
shrinkverbUS /ʃrɪŋk/
wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading I was sorry for that.
stagesnounUS /ˈsteɪdʒəz/
plural of “stage” — any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
not in physical motion
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
surgingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrdʒɪŋ/
characterized by great swelling waves or surges
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
a special situation
From this reading To be roasted alive is bad enough in all conscience; but to be roasted alive by intermittent stages is a thing to make even a soldier or a man of science shrink back appalled from the ghastly prospect.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
tortureverbUS /ˈtɔːrtʃər/
torment emotionally or mentally
From this reading It would do nothing now but needlessly prolong my horrible torture.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
volcanicadjectiveUS /vɑːlˈkænɪk/
relating to or produced by or consisting of volcanoes
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
at the time that
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
wildlyadverbUS /ˈwaɪldli/
to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree
From this reading While the ring of their heathen death-song still echoed in my ear, and the hiss and roar of the volcanic fires still boomed and resounded wildly around me, I was dimly conscious in an interval of heat that the lava-flood fell back for a few moments, and that a lull had intervened in that surging tide of fiery liquid.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would do nothing now but needlessly prolong my horrible torture.
wrenchverbUS /rentʃ/
twist or pull violently or suddenly, especially so as to remove (something) from that to which it is attached or from where it originates
From this reading When once one has made up one's mind to face death, in whatever form, the sooner one can get the wrench over the better.
