Chapter VIII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading BELL RICKARD.

a line that indicates a boundary

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

let fall to the ground

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

only a very short time before

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

a message received and understood

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

cut slightly, with a razor

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

not any; not one

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

select carefully from a group

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BELL RICKARD.

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

get by special effort

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

intelligence manifested by being astute (as in business dealings)

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

in or at that place or location

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

propel through the air

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

up to a particular time

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

at the time that

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

which person or people

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

the words that are spoken

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.