AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading INTERLOCUTORY PROCEEDINGS A big summer’s work lay before us.
ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The ranch would have to run a double outfit the greater portion of the summer, and men would have to be secured to fill our ranks.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The ranch would have to run a double outfit the greater portion of the summer, and men would have to be secured to fill our ranks.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading INTERLOCUTORY PROCEEDINGS A big summer’s work lay before us.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading INTERLOCUTORY PROCEEDINGS A big summer’s work lay before us.
bredverbUS /bred/
inflected form of “breed” — call forth
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
domesticitynounUS /ˌdoʊmeˈstɪsəti/
the quality of being domestic or domesticated
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
doubleverbUS /ˈdʌbəl/
increase twofold
From this reading The ranch would have to run a double outfit the greater portion of the summer, and men would have to be secured to fill our ranks.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
fillverbUS /fɪl/
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading The ranch would have to run a double outfit the greater portion of the summer, and men would have to be secured to fill our ranks.
footnounUS /fʊt/
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
forcenounUS /fɔːrs/
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
frontiernounUS /frənˈtɪr/
a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading The ranch would have to run a double outfit the greater portion of the summer, and men would have to be secured to fill our ranks.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The ranch would have to run a double outfit the greater portion of the summer, and men would have to be secured to fill our ranks.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
helpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
idealadjectiveUS /aɪˈdiːl/
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
inclinedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈklaɪnd/
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
injuredadjectiveUS /ˈɪndʒərd/
harmed
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
INTERLOCUTORYadjective
consisting of dialogue
From this reading INTERLOCUTORY PROCEEDINGS A big summer’s work lay before us.
isolateverbUS /ˈaɪsəleɪt/
place or set apart
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
LancenounUS /læns/
a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
LasnounUS /lɑːs/
plural of “la” — a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading INTERLOCUTORY PROCEEDINGS A big summer’s work lay before us.
lossnounUS /lɔːs/
something that is lost
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
nativesnounUS /ˈneɪtɪvz/
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
neededadjectiveUS /ˈniːdəd/
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The ranch would have to run a double outfit the greater portion of the summer, and men would have to be secured to fill our ranks.
outfitnounUS /ˈaʊtfɪt/
any cohesive unit such as a military company
From this reading The ranch would have to run a double outfit the greater portion of the summer, and men would have to be secured to fill our ranks.
Palomas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
permanentadjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrmənənt/
continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
portionnounUS /ˈpɔːrʃən/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The ranch would have to run a double outfit the greater portion of the summer, and men would have to be secured to fill our ranks.
PROCEEDINGSnounUS /proʊˈsiːdɪŋz/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading INTERLOCUTORY PROCEEDINGS A big summer’s work lay before us.
properlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːpərli/
in the right manner; correctly; suitably
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
ralliedverbUS /ˈrælid/
inflected form of “rally” — gather
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading The ranch would have to run a double outfit the greater portion of the summer, and men would have to be secured to fill our ranks.
ranksnounUS /ræŋks/
plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading The ranch would have to run a double outfit the greater portion of the summer, and men would have to be secured to fill our ranks.
realizedadjectiveUS /ˈriːəlaɪzd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
rideverbUS /raɪd/
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
runverbUS /rʌn/
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The ranch would have to run a double outfit the greater portion of the summer, and men would have to be secured to fill our ranks.
scarceadverbUS /skers/
only a very short time before
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
secureverbUS /sɪˈkjʊr/
get by special effort
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
securedverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrd/
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading The ranch would have to run a double outfit the greater portion of the summer, and men would have to be secured to fill our ranks.
serviceableadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrvəsəbəl/
ready for service or able to give long service
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
situationnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃən/
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
soonadverbUS /suːn/
in the near future
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The ranch would have to run a double outfit the greater portion of the summer, and men would have to be secured to fill our ranks.
summer'snounUS /ˈsʌmərz/
possessive form of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading INTERLOCUTORY PROCEEDINGS A big summer’s work lay before us.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
treatedadjectiveUS /ˈtriːtɪd/
subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
UnclenounUS /ˈʌŋkəl/
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading INTERLOCUTORY PROCEEDINGS A big summer’s work lay before us.
vaqueros
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My injured foot improved slowly, and as soon as I was able to ride, it fell to me to secure the extra help needed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
WhitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
willingadjectiveUS /ˈwɪlɪŋ/
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading White men who were willing to isolate themselves on a frontier ranch were scarce; but the natives, when properly treated, were serviceable and, where bred to the occupation and inclined to domesticity, made ideal vaqueros.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading INTERLOCUTORY PROCEEDINGS A big summer’s work lay before us.
workingadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrkɪŋ/
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading When Uncle Lance realized the permanent loss of three men from the working force of Las Palomas, he rallied to the situation.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The ranch would have to run a double outfit the greater portion of the summer, and men would have to be secured to fill our ranks.
