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Snarled Identities
Snarled Identities

Chapter II

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Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“GREEN-EYE” GORDON.
“Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.
The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.
“Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.
“As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Snarled Identities

Chapter II

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“GREEN-EYE” GORDON.
Line 2
“Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.
Line 3
The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.
Line 4
“Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.
Line 5
“As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading ““Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading ““As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.”

Rapidity noun US /rəˈpɪdəti/

great speed

From this reading “The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading ““Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.”

All words in this reading · 94

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

advantage

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

asphyxiation

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.

basement

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

best

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

blaze

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

burned

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

cells

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

circumstances

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

clever

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

Clinton

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

From this reading “Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.

concerned

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

control

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

convicts

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

danger

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

dense

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

discovered

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

From this reading “Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

escape

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

excitement

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

exodus

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

facilities

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

far

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

fatally

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

fire

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

From this reading “Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.

fire-fighting

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

frightened

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

general

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

GORDON

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

From this reading “GREEN-EYE” GORDON.

GREEN-EYE

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

From this reading “GREEN-EYE” GORDON.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.

including

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

infamous

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

information

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

injured

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

inmates

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.

laundry

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

From this reading “Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.

lives

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

lost

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

main

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

many

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

more

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

night

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

From this reading “Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

o'clock

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

From this reading “Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.

obtainable

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

overcome

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

present

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

Prison

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

From this reading “Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.

prison's

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

prisoners

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

rapiditynounUS /rəˈpɪdəti/

great speed

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

seen

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

Shortly

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

From this reading “Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.

simultaneously

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

smoke

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

soon

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

spread

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

surprising

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

temporarily

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

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

ten

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

From this reading “Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.

there

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

threatened

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

three

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

tier

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

tiers

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Under the circumstances, it is surprising that more lives were not lost, but the best information obtainable at the present time is that three of the inmates were fatally burned—including the clever and infamous Green-eye Gordon—that many were injured or temporarily overcome, and that one took advantage of the excitement to escape.

unlocked

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “Shortly after ten o’clock last night fire was discovered in the laundry at Clinton Prison.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

wing

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

From this reading “As soon as it was seen that the fire was beyond control, so far as the prison’s fire-fighting facilities were concerned, and that there was danger of asphyxiation from the dense smoke, the cells of each tier in the threatened wing were unlocked simultaneously, and there was a general exodus of frightened prisoners.

wings

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

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The blaze spread with surprising rapidity, and as the laundry was in the basement of one of the main wings of three tiers of cells above it, the lives of many of the convicts were soon seen to be in danger.