Chapter IX

from one side of something to the other

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

later than; following

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

fear resulting from the awareness of danger

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

in addition

From this reading Meanwhile Mammy had also smelt the smoke, and as the girls ran through the front hall she came through the back one crying:

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

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

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

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

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

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Meanwhile Mammy had also smelt the smoke, and as the girls ran through the front hall she came through the back one crying:

earlier than; in front of

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Meanwhile Mammy had also smelt the smoke, and as the girls ran through the front hall she came through the back one crying:

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

plural of “cease” — (“cease” is a noun only in the phrase “without cease”) end

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

a process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to give heat and light

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

a lake in southeastern Germany on the northern side of the Swiss Alps; forms part of the Rhine River

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

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

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

demanding attention

From this reading Meanwhile Mammy had also smelt the smoke, and as the girls ran through the front hall she came through the back one crying:

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading "Fo' de Lawd's sake wha' done happen?

the act of discovering something

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

past form of “disgorge” — cause or allow (a solid substance) to flow or run out or over

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading "Fo' de Lawd's sake wha' done happen?

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

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

start firing a weapon

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

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

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

an officer holding the rank of major or lieutenant colonel or colonel

From this reading "Fo' de Lawd's sake wha' done happen?

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Meanwhile Mammy had also smelt the smoke, and as the girls ran through the front hall she came through the back one crying:

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Meanwhile Mammy had also smelt the smoke, and as the girls ran through the front hall she came through the back one crying:

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

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

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Meanwhile Mammy had also smelt the smoke, and as the girls ran through the front hall she came through the back one crying:

come to pass

From this reading "Fo' de Lawd's sake wha' done happen?

only a very short time before

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

a practical joke that involves inserting a match surreptitiously between the sole and upper of the victim's shoe and then lighting it

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

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

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

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

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

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

From this reading "Fo' de Lawd's sake wha' done happen?

exercising or showing good judgment

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

an offensive term for a Black nursemaid in the southern U.S.

From this reading Meanwhile Mammy had also smelt the smoke, and as the girls ran through the front hall she came through the back one crying:

be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

at the same time but in another place

From this reading Meanwhile Mammy had also smelt the smoke, and as the girls ran through the front hall she came through the back one crying:

the force of workers available

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

a large indefinite number

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

and nothing more

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

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

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

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

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

the characteristic of doing things without delay

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Meanwhile Mammy had also smelt the smoke, and as the girls ran through the front hall she came through the back one crying:

done under pressure

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading "Fo' de Lawd's sake wha' done happen?

the place where some action occurs

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

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

From this reading Meanwhile Mammy had also smelt the smoke, and as the girls ran through the front hall she came through the back one crying:

small cold-water silvery fish; migrate between salt and fresh water

From this reading Meanwhile Mammy had also smelt the smoke, and as the girls ran through the front hall she came through the back one crying:

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

happening or arising without apparent external cause

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

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

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

in or at that place or location

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

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

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Meanwhile Mammy had also smelt the smoke, and as the girls ran through the front hall she came through the back one crying:

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

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

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

From this reading "Fo' de Lawd's sake wha' done happen?

during the time that

From this reading As Constance and Eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm.

which person or people

From this reading How they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Spontaneous Combustion Had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after Constance's discovery of the smoke.