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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
all
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From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
approaching
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From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At least three hundred stores were in flames.
away
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From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
blazing
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From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
boast
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From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
brave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
brigade
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From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
burning
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From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
BYprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.
catching
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From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
close
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From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
closest
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From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
comradesnounUS /ˈkɑːmrædz/
people who share difficult work or danger, especially soldiers
From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
Creek
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From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
dare
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From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
DEATH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
directed
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From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
DRIVEN
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From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.
faces
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From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
fellows
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From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
fire-engines
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From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
flamenounUS /fleɪm/
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
flames
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From this reading At least three hundred stores were in flames.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
Hart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
hose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least three hundred stores were in flames.
immense
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From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
INTOprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.
JAWS
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From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At least three hundred stores were in flames.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
LOVE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.
perspirationnounUS /ˌpɜːrspəˈreɪʃən/
sweat produced by the body
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
pouring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
prevent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
pumped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
rafters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
sheet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
Silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
Smith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
stores
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least three hundred stores were in flames.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
streams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DRIVEN BY LOVE INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least three hundred stores were in flames.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
township
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
volunteer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At least three hundred stores were in flames.
whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading However, they worked away, approaching as close as they dare to the immense body of flame; those who were closest to the burning stores directed their hose towards the blazing rafters, whilst their comrades pumped upon them to prevent their catching fire.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the time Mr. Hart and William Smith reached the township, there was a straight sheet of fire, more than a mile in length.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silver Creek could boast of a volunteer fire brigade, and the brave fellows worked at their two small fire-engines with the perspiration pouring down their faces in streams, but they might as well have pumped water into the creek for all the good they did.
