used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading Fortunately, it was not at the extreme rear of the house, where the fire seemed to be in absolute control.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Fortunately, it was not at the extreme rear of the house, where the fire seemed to be in absolute control.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Fortunately, it was not at the extreme rear of the house, where the fire seemed to be in absolute control.
for the reason that
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
power to direct or determine
From this reading Fortunately, it was not at the extreme rear of the house, where the fire seemed to be in absolute control.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
demonnounUS /ˈdiːmən/
an evil supernatural being
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
dependverbUS /dɪˈpend/
be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
someone who is a detective
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
divisible by two
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading Fortunately, it was not at the extreme rear of the house, where the fire seemed to be in absolute control.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
fingeringnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərɪŋ/
the placement of the fingers for playing different notes (or sequences of notes) on a musical instrument
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
FortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Fortunately, it was not at the extreme rear of the house, where the fire seemed to be in absolute control.
set up or found
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
furiousadjectiveUS /ˈfjʊriəs/
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
the act of retaining something
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Fortunately, it was not at the extreme rear of the house, where the fire seemed to be in absolute control.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Fortunately, it was not at the extreme rear of the house, where the fire seemed to be in absolute control.
and nothing more
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
Leslie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
myriadnounUS /ˈmɪriəd/
a large indefinite number
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
pushingnounUS /ˈpʊʃɪŋ/
the act of applying force in order to move something away
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading Fortunately, it was not at the extreme rear of the house, where the fire seemed to be in absolute control.
free from harm or evil
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Fortunately, it was not at the extreme rear of the house, where the fire seemed to be in absolute control.
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
a male human offspring
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
in a strange manner
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
stretchingnounUS /ˈstretʃɪŋ/
act of expanding by lengthening or widening
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
express in words
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
a special situation
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
bound or secured closely
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
the topmost one of two
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE DARING RESCUE Just how they made their way up those stairs Leslie never could tell.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
at the time that
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
in or at the place that
From this reading Dick was for pushing on, even though to do so he had to advance in the direction where the fire was most furious.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
whirlingnounUS /ˈwɜːrlɪŋ/
the act of rotating in a circle or spiral
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He kept fingering the wall as he went, because with one hand holding the tied handkerchief partly over his eyes he could not depend on his sight to tell him when he reached the door of the room in which he knew the widow had taken up her quarters with her little son.
wreathsnounUS /riːθs/
plural of “wreath” — flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
From this reading The first thing he knew he found himself on the upper landing, and facing a sheet of flames that made the whirling smoke wreaths look strangely like some kind of demon stretching out a myriad hands toward him.
