used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So that when it caught fire there was general danger, because the town possessed only a hand fire-engine.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
for the reason that
From this reading So that when it caught fire there was general danger, because the town possessed only a hand fire-engine.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Since the first settlement of the place there had been but few fires, and these had had pretty much their own way.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
lacking funds
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
bucketsnounUS /ˈbʌkəts/
plural of “bucket” — a roughly cylindrical vessel that is open at the top
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
the act of burning something
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
CatholicadjectiveUS /ˈkæθlɪk/
of or relating to or supporting Catholicism
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading So that when it caught fire there was general danger, because the town possessed only a hand fire-engine.
child'snounUS /tʃaɪldz/
possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading It had been useful in incipient fires, but it was child's play in a serious outburst.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading So that when it caught fire there was general danger, because the town possessed only a hand fire-engine.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Since the first settlement of the place there had been but few fires, and these had had pretty much their own way.
start firing a weapon
From this reading So that when it caught fire there was general danger, because the town possessed only a hand fire-engine.
fire-engine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So that when it caught fire there was general danger, because the town possessed only a hand fire-engine.
firesnounUS /ˈfaɪərz/
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading Since the first settlement of the place there had been but few fires, and these had had pretty much their own way.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Since the first settlement of the place there had been but few fires, and these had had pretty much their own way.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading So that when it caught fire there was general danger, because the town possessed only a hand fire-engine.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading So that when it caught fire there was general danger, because the town possessed only a hand fire-engine.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It had been useful in incipient fires, but it was child's play in a serious outburst.
incipientadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪpiənt/
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
From this reading It had been useful in incipient fires, but it was child's play in a serious outburst.
invadedverbUS /ˌɪnˈveɪdəd/
past form of “invade” — march aggressively into another's territory by military force for the purposes of conquest and occupation
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
isolationnounUS /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən/
a state of separation between persons or groups
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
Manitou
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
the force of workers available
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Since the first settlement of the place there had been but few fires, and these had had pretty much their own way.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Since the first settlement of the place there had been but few fires, and these had had pretty much their own way.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
and nothing more
From this reading So that when it caught fire there was general danger, because the town possessed only a hand fire-engine.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
OriginallyadverbUS /ərˈɪdʒənəli/
in an original manner
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
outburstnounUS /ˈaʊtbɜːrst/
an unrestrained expression of emotion
From this reading It had been useful in incipient fires, but it was child's play in a serious outburst.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Since the first settlement of the place there had been but few fires, and these had had pretty much their own way.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Since the first settlement of the place there had been but few fires, and these had had pretty much their own way.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
participate in games or sport
From this reading It had been useful in incipient fires, but it was child's play in a serious outburst.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading So that when it caught fire there was general danger, because the town possessed only a hand fire-engine.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Since the first settlement of the place there had been but few fires, and these had had pretty much their own way.
pumpverbUS /pʌmp/
operate like a pump; move up and down, like a handle or a pedal
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading It had been useful in incipient fires, but it was child's play in a serious outburst.
settlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading Since the first settlement of the place there had been but few fires, and these had had pretty much their own way.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since the first settlement of the place there had been but few fires, and these had had pretty much their own way.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So that when it caught fire there was general danger, because the town possessed only a hand fire-engine.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So that when it caught fire there was general danger, because the town possessed only a hand fire-engine.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Since the first settlement of the place there had been but few fires, and these had had pretty much their own way.
in or at that place or location
From this reading So that when it caught fire there was general danger, because the town possessed only a hand fire-engine.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Since the first settlement of the place there had been but few fires, and these had had pretty much their own way.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
being of use or service
From this reading It had been useful in incipient fires, but it was child's play in a serious outburst.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Since the first settlement of the place there had been but few fires, and these had had pretty much their own way.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Originally the Catholic church at Manitou had stood quite by itself, well back from the river, but as the town grew its dignified isolation was invaded and houses kept creeping nearer and nearer to it.
at the time that
From this reading So that when it caught fire there was general danger, because the town possessed only a hand fire-engine.
which person or people
From this reading When one broke out the plan was to form a long line of men, who passed buckets of water between the nearest pump, well, or river, and the burning building.
