used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
advisableadjectiveUS /ədˈvaɪzəbəl/
worthy of being recommended or suggested; prudent or wise
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
anew
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading At the distance of a few miles the Rancho San Antonio showed amid its clustering shade and orchard trees.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
Antonio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the distance of a few miles the Rancho San Antonio showed amid its clustering shade and orchard trees.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
avoidedverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪd/
past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
bendverbUS /bend/
form a curve
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
broodingnounUS /ˈbruːdɪŋ/
sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
clusteringnounUS /ˈklʌstərɪŋ/
a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading At the distance of a few miles the Rancho San Antonio showed amid its clustering shade and orchard trees.
companion's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
placed crosswise
From this reading At last they reached the foot of the trail, leading on to the road that crossed the plain.
someone who is a detective
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
Dick'snounUS /dɪks/
possessive form of “dick” — someone who is a detective
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
dipverbUS /dɪp/
immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading At the distance of a few miles the Rancho San Antonio showed amid its clustering shade and orchard trees.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
emergenciesnounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsiz/
plural of “emergency” — a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
encounteredverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərd/
past form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading At the distance of a few miles the Rancho San Antonio showed amid its clustering shade and orchard trees.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading At last they reached the foot of the trail, leading on to the road that crossed the plain.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
good-humoredly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
the act of retaining something
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
ignominiousadjectiveUS /ˌɪɡnəˈmɪniəs/
(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading At the distance of a few miles the Rancho San Antonio showed amid its clustering shade and orchard trees.
joggingnounUS /ˈdʒɑːɡɪŋ/
running at a jog trot as a form of cardiopulmonary exercise
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
immediately past
From this reading At last they reached the foot of the trail, leading on to the road that crossed the plain.
LeachverbUS /liːtʃ/
cause (a liquid) to leach or percolate
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading At last they reached the foot of the trail, leading on to the road that crossed the plain.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
light-heartedadjective
carefree and happy and lighthearted
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
held dear
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
lurchingverbUS /ˈlɜːrtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “lurch” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading At the distance of a few miles the Rancho San Antonio showed amid its clustering shade and orchard trees.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
orchardnounUS /ˈɔːrtʃərd/
garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth
From this reading At the distance of a few miles the Rancho San Antonio showed amid its clustering shade and orchard trees.
outwittedverbUS /ˈaʊtwɪtɪd/
inflected form of “outwit” — beat through cleverness and wit
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading At last they reached the foot of the trail, leading on to the road that crossed the plain.
poniesnounUS /ˈpoʊniz/
plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
predicamentnounUS /prɪˈdɪkəmənt/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
Rancho
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the distance of a few miles the Rancho San Antonio showed amid its clustering shade and orchard trees.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading At last they reached the foot of the trail, leading on to the road that crossed the plain.
realizationnounUS /ˈriːləˈzeɪʃən/
coming to understand something clearly and distinctly
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
past form of “render” — cause to become
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading At last they reached the foot of the trail, leading on to the road that crossed the plain.
put a saddle on
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the distance of a few miles the Rancho San Antonio showed amid its clustering shade and orchard trees.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading At the distance of a few miles the Rancho San Antonio showed amid its clustering shade and orchard trees.
Sharkey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading At the distance of a few miles the Rancho San Antonio showed amid its clustering shade and orchard trees.
sleuthnounUS /sluːθ/
a detective who follows a trail
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At last they reached the foot of the trail, leading on to the road that crossed the plain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a song of joy in Dick’s heart—liberty was at hand; he was riding down from the hills to join his loved one again.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At last they reached the foot of the trail, leading on to the road that crossed the plain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
traversedverbUS /ˈtrævərst/
past form of “traverse” — travel across or pass over
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading At the distance of a few miles the Rancho San Antonio showed amid its clustering shade and orchard trees.
uncomfortablyadverbUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in physical discomfort
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
precisely as stated
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
at the time that
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
Willoughby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ponies were jogging down the trail, Leach Sharkey uncomfortably lurching in his saddle when some sudden bend or dip was encountered, Dick Willoughby good-humoredly holding him on when such emergencies rendered the service advisable if an ignominious fall were to be avoided.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But there was sullen brooding in the soul of the outwitted sleuth—growing more sullen with every mile traversed, with every kindness rendered, with the very realization of his own ridiculous predicament and the contrast of his companion’s light-hearted happiness.
