used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A half mile beyond the building was a party of horsemen, numbering perhaps a dozen.
adobenounUS /əˈdoʊbi/
the clay from which adobe bricks are made
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The cause of the Texan’s remark was apparent.
from appearances alone
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading BELL RICKARD’S SCHEME.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading A half mile beyond the building was a party of horsemen, numbering perhaps a dozen.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading A half mile beyond the building was a party of horsemen, numbering perhaps a dozen.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading The cause of the Texan’s remark was apparent.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading A half mile beyond the building was a party of horsemen, numbering perhaps a dozen.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
groupedadjectiveUS /ɡruːpt/
arranged into groups
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading A half mile beyond the building was a party of horsemen, numbering perhaps a dozen.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
HERBERTnounUS /ˈhɜːrbərt/
United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
the act of retaining something
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
horsemennounUS /ˈhɔːrsmən/
plural of “horseman” — a man skilled in equitation
From this reading A half mile beyond the building was a party of horsemen, numbering perhaps a dozen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading A half mile beyond the building was a party of horsemen, numbering perhaps a dozen.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
numberingnounUS /ˈnʌmbərɪŋ/
a numbered list
From this reading A half mile beyond the building was a party of horsemen, numbering perhaps a dozen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading A half mile beyond the building was a party of horsemen, numbering perhaps a dozen.
by chance
From this reading A half mile beyond the building was a party of horsemen, numbering perhaps a dozen.
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading The cause of the Texan’s remark was apparent.
RICKARD'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BELL RICKARD’S SCHEME.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading BELL RICKARD’S SCHEME.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
structurenounUS /ˈstrʌktʃər/
a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
Texan'snounUS /ˈteksənz/
possessive form of “texan” — a native or resident of Texas
From this reading The cause of the Texan’s remark was apparent.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
a vivid mental image
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The cause of the Texan’s remark was apparent.
WATROUS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HERBERT WATROUS turned his field glass to the left, and, for the first time since he caught sight of the adobe structure, gave attention to another part of his field of vision.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were grouped together and apparently holding a discussion over some matter in which all must have been interested, since they kept in such close order.
