used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
affordingverbUS /əˈfɔːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
ambushedverbUS /ˈæmbʊʃt/
past form of “ambush” — wait in hiding to attack
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an exciting ride withal--keenly so; for every turn of the way might bring him face to face with an enemy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
avoidedverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪd/
past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading If he topped a rise of the ground, might he not run right into the teeth of a hostile band on the other side?
the lower side of anything
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
confined by bonds
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It was an exciting ride withal--keenly so; for every turn of the way might bring him face to face with an enemy.
bush-clad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
not accessible to view
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
defileverb
place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
an opposing military force
From this reading It was an exciting ride withal--keenly so; for every turn of the way might bring him face to face with an enemy.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It was an exciting ride withal--keenly so; for every turn of the way might bring him face to face with an enemy.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading It was an exciting ride withal--keenly so; for every turn of the way might bring him face to face with an enemy.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading It was an exciting ride withal--keenly so; for every turn of the way might bring him face to face with an enemy.
moving swiftly
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
gracefullyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪsfəli/
in a graceful manner
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading If he topped a rise of the ground, might he not run right into the teeth of a hostile band on the other side?
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
hostileadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːstəl/
characterized by enmity or ill will
From this reading If he topped a rise of the ground, might he not run right into the teeth of a hostile band on the other side?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If he topped a rise of the ground, might he not run right into the teeth of a hostile band on the other side?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading If he topped a rise of the ground, might he not run right into the teeth of a hostile band on the other side?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
and nothing more
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
keenlyadverbUS /ˈkiːnli/
in a keen or penetrating way
From this reading It was an exciting ride withal--keenly so; for every turn of the way might bring him face to face with an enemy.
leapsnounUS /liːps/
plural of “leap” — a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
lurkingverbUS /ˈlɜːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
missilesnounUS /ˈmɪsəlz/
plural of “missile” — a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives; may be ballistic or directed by remote control
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If he topped a rise of the ground, might he not run right into the teeth of a hostile band on the other side?
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading If he topped a rise of the ground, might he not run right into the teeth of a hostile band on the other side?
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
ravinenounUS /rəˈviːn/
a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading It was an exciting ride withal--keenly so; for every turn of the way might bring him face to face with an enemy.
precisely, exactly
From this reading If he topped a rise of the ground, might he not run right into the teeth of a hostile band on the other side?
move upward
From this reading If he topped a rise of the ground, might he not run right into the teeth of a hostile band on the other side?
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading If he topped a rise of the ground, might he not run right into the teeth of a hostile band on the other side?
put a saddle on
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading If he topped a rise of the ground, might he not run right into the teeth of a hostile band on the other side?
an elevated geological formation
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was an exciting ride withal--keenly so; for every turn of the way might bring him face to face with an enemy.
sweetestadjectiveUS /ˈswiːtəst/
superlative of “sweet” — having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
tantalisingadjective
arousing desire or expectation for something unattainable or mockingly out of reach
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading If he topped a rise of the ground, might he not run right into the teeth of a hostile band on the other side?
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
toppedadjectiveUS /tɑːpt/
having a top of a specified character
From this reading If he topped a rise of the ground, might he not run right into the teeth of a hostile band on the other side?
triggerverbUS /ˈtrɪɡər/
put in motion or move to act
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading It was an exciting ride withal--keenly so; for every turn of the way might bring him face to face with an enemy.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading It was tantalising, very, as he watched the animals bound away in gracefully flying leaps, affording the sweetest of shots from the saddle.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was an exciting ride withal--keenly so; for every turn of the way might bring him face to face with an enemy.
whizzverb
make a soft swishing sound
From this reading As he rode along the slope of a bush-clad hill, for he avoided the bottom of defile or ravine, he more than half expected the "whizz" of missiles from the ambushed savage lurking concealed above.
which person or people
From this reading But he who now rode there dared not pull a trigger, for it might easily cost him his life, and that was a possession he did not want to lose just then.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was an exciting ride withal--keenly so; for every turn of the way might bring him face to face with an enemy.
withaladverb
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading It was an exciting ride withal--keenly so; for every turn of the way might bring him face to face with an enemy.
