used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
Blake'snounUS /bleɪks/
possessive form of “blake” — visionary British poet and painter (1757-1827)
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
carbines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
comradesnounUS /ˈkɑːmrædz/
plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
dividesnounUS /dɪˈvaɪdz/
plural of “divide” — a serious disagreement between two groups of people (typically producing tension or hostility)
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
evasiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈveɪzɪv/
deliberately vague or ambiguous
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
eventuallyadverbUS /ɪˈventʃəwəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
exasperatingadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzæspəreɪtɪŋ/
extremely annoying or displeasing
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
excusedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈkjuːzd/
granted exemption
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
featheredadjectiveUS /ˈfeðərd/
adorned with feathers or plumes
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
frontiernounUS /frənˈtɪr/
a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
gallopedverbUS /ˈɡæləpt/
past form of “gallop” — ride at a galloping pace
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
come together
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
morning'snounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/
possessive form of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
information about recent and important events
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
not any; not one
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
ponynounUS /ˈpoʊniː/
a range horse of the western United States
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
pursuingadjectiveUS /pərˈsuːɪŋ/
following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
ridernounUS /ˈraɪdər/
a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on distant divides, and one feathered brave had galloped down to meet his comrades, and fire a few shots at the pursuing pale faces.
SiouxnounUS /suː/
a member of a group of North American Indian peoples who spoke a Siouan language and who ranged from Lake Michigan to the Rocky Mountains
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
spiritedadjectiveUS /ˈspɪrɪtɪd/
displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
steadnounUS /sted/
the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
supportsnounUS /səˈpɔːrts/
plural of “support” — the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
moving very fast
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
trionounUS /ˈtriːoʊ/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
troopersnounUS /ˈtruːpərz/
plural of “trooper” — a soldier in a motorized army unit
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading But at no time, until near their supports and far from the fort, had the Sioux halted for a hand to hand fight, and Blake's long experience on the frontier had stood him in good stead.
warriorsnounUS /ˈwɔːriərz/
plural of “warrior” — someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
which person or people
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He and his little party had had a spirited running fight of several hours with an evasive and most exasperating trio of warriors, better mounted for swift work than were the troopers.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading He had managed eventually to bring down one of the Indians who lingered a little too long within short range of the carbines, but it was the pony, not the rider, that they killed.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading BAD NEWS FROM THE FRONT It might well be imagined that a man returning from such a morning's work as had been Blake's could be excused from duty the rest of the day.
