used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
quickly and without warning
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
advertisingnounUS /ˈædvərtaɪzɪŋ/
a public promotion of some product or service
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
banditnounUS /ˈbændət/
an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a band
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading A second flung into the blue sky three rapid revolver shots.
cantered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
cowboysnounUS /ˈkaʊbɔɪz/
plural of “cowboy” — a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
remove the dust from
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading A second flung into the blue sky three rapid revolver shots.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
GamingnounUS /ˈɡeɪmɪŋ/
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
guerrillasnounUS /ɡərˈɪləz/
plural of “guerrilla” — a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
infamousadjectiveUS /ˈɪnfəməs/
known widely and usually unfavorably
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A second flung into the blue sky three rapid revolver shots.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
jinglingadjective
having a series of high-pitched ringing sounds like many small bells
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
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 Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
Los
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
most important element
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
oasisnounUS /oʊˈeɪsɪs/
a fertile tract in a desert (where the water table approaches the surface)
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
make a painting
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
Portales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
Quantrell's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
raidsnounUS /reɪdz/
plural of “raid” — a sudden short attack
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading A second flung into the blue sky three rapid revolver shots.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
refreshmentnounUS /rəˈfreʃmənt/
snacks and drinks served as a light meal
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading A second flung into the blue sky three rapid revolver shots.
ridersnounUS /ˈraɪdərz/
plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
SaloonnounUS /səˈluːn/
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading A second flung into the blue sky three rapid revolver shots.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading A second flung into the blue sky three rapid revolver shots.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading A second flung into the blue sky three rapid revolver shots.
spursnounUS /spɜːrz/
plural of “spur” — a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading A second flung into the blue sky three rapid revolver shots.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
Tolleson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
trailedverbUS /treɪld/
past form of “trail” — to lag or linger behind
From this reading The riders pulled up abruptly in front of Tolleson's Gaming Palace & Saloon, swung from their horses, and trailed with jingling spurs into that oasis of refreshment.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The Fight Half a dozen cowboys cantered up the main street of Los Portales in a cloud of dust.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
at the time that
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
which person or people
From this reading Plainly they were advertising the fact that they had come to paint the town red and did not care who knew it.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
in the company of; together with
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
yellnounUS /jel/
a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading One of them, older than the rest, let out the wild yell he had known in the days when he rode with Quantrell's guerrillas on the infamous raids of that bandit.
