used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
backedadjectiveUS /bækt/
having a back or backing, usually of a specified type
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
blindingadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
bridlenounUS /ˈbraɪdəl/
headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
buckleverbUS /ˈbʌkəl/
fasten with a buckle or buckles
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No, no; I can't, I _can't_--not this way!"
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
cinches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
clatteringverbUS /ˈklætərɪŋ/
-ing form of “clatter” — make a rattling sound
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
rid of obstructions
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
remove the dust from
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
flanksnounUS /flæŋks/
plural of “flank” — the side of military or naval formation
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
moving swiftly
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
headstallnoun
the band that is the part of a bridle that fits around a horse's head
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
hipsnounUS /hɪps/
plural of “hip” — either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
hoofsnounUS /hʊfs/
plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
hoppingverbUS /ˈhɑːpɪŋ/
inflected form of “hop” — jump lightly
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
horse'snounUS /ˈhɔːrsəz/
possessive form of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "No, no; I can't, I _can't_--not this way!"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
immediately past
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
limpedverbUS /lɪmpt/
past form of “limp” — walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
Lockwood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
not any; not one
From this reading "No, no; I can't, I _can't_--not this way!"
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "No, no; I can't, I _can't_--not this way!"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
pebblesnounUS /ˈpebəlz/
plural of “pebble” — a small smooth rounded rock
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
quirtnoun
whip with a leather thong at the end
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
reinsnounUS /reɪnz/
plural of “rein” — one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
scamperedverbUS /ˈskæmpərd/
past form of “scamper” — to move about or proceed hurriedly
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
stableadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪbəl/
resistant to change of position or condition
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
stingingnounUS /ˈstɪŋɪŋ/
a kind of pain; something as sudden and painful as being stung
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
stirrupnounUS /ˈstɜːrəp/
support consisting of metal loops into which rider's feet go
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
swirlverbUS /swɜːrl/
turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
taperedadjectiveUS /ˈteɪpərd/
becoming gradually narrower
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "No, no; I can't, I _can't_--not this way!"
threshingnoun
the separation of grain or seeds from the husks and straw
From this reading Hanging on as best he might with his knees and one foot, Lockwood, threshing the horse's flanks with the stinging quirt that tapered from the reins of the bridle, shot from the camp in a swirl of clattering hoofs, flying pebbles and blinding clouds of dust.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
tightadjectiveUS /taɪt/
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading How he gained the stable he never knew, nor how he backed the horse from the building, nor how, hopping on one leg, he got the headstall on and drew the cinches tight.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "No, no; I can't, I _can't_--not this way!"
in the company of; together with
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
the words that are spoken
From this reading And with the words he threw the belt of the revolver about his hips and limped and scampered from the room, drawing the buckle close.
wrenchverbUS /rentʃ/
twist or pull violently or suddenly, especially so as to remove (something) from that to which it is attached or from where it originates
From this reading But the wrench of pain in his foot as, swinging up at last, he tried to catch his off stirrup was reality enough to clear any confusion of spirit.
