Chapter IX

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

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

how long something has existed

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

in the past

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

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

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

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

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

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

From this reading A brand that can't be burned over is more precious than rubies now; and the bigger it is, the better.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading A brand that can't be burned over is more precious than rubies now; and the bigger it is, the better.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading A brand that can't be burned over is more precious than rubies now; and the bigger it is, the better.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

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

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

a name given to a product or service

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading So, when it came to the round-up, the old doctor received his reward, for he claimed every maverick in the bunch and took them home for his own.

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point

From this reading A brand that can't be burned over is more precious than rubies now; and the bigger it is, the better.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading So, when it came to the round-up, the old doctor received his reward, for he claimed every maverick in the bunch and took them home for his own.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

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

From this reading A brand that can't be burned over is more precious than rubies now; and the bigger it is, the better.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing

From this reading So, when it came to the round-up, the old doctor received his reward, for he claimed every maverick in the bunch and took them home for his own.

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

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

female of domestic cattle: "“moo-cow” is a child's term"

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

wanted intensely

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

past form of “decimate” — kill one in every ten, as of mutineers in Roman armies

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading So, when it came to the round-up, the old doctor received his reward, for he claimed every maverick in the bunch and took them home for his own.

possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

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

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

at any time

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading So, when it came to the round-up, the old doctor received his reward, for he claimed every maverick in the bunch and took them home for his own.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

a deliberately false or improbable account

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

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

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

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

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

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

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

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

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

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

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading So, when it came to the round-up, the old doctor received his reward, for he claimed every maverick in the bunch and took them home for his own.

marked by humanistic values and devotion to human welfare

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

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

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

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

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading So, when it came to the round-up, the old doctor received his reward, for he claimed every maverick in the bunch and took them home for his own.

immediately past

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

property that is leased or rented out or let

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

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 This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

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

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading A brand that can't be burned over is more precious than rubies now; and the bigger it is, the better.

a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading A brand that can't be burned over is more precious than rubies now; and the bigger it is, the better.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

and nothing more

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

above and across; more than

From this reading A brand that can't be burned over is more precious than rubies now; and the bigger it is, the better.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading So, when it came to the round-up, the old doctor received his reward, for he claimed every maverick in the bunch and took them home for his own.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for

From this reading A brand that can't be burned over is more precious than rubies now; and the bigger it is, the better.

a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading So, when it came to the round-up, the old doctor received his reward, for he claimed every maverick in the bunch and took them home for his own.

made less in size or amount or degree

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

From this reading So, when it came to the round-up, the old doctor received his reward, for he claimed every maverick in the bunch and took them home for his own.

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

From this reading So, when it came to the round-up, the old doctor received his reward, for he claimed every maverick in the bunch and took them home for his own.

plural of “ruby” — a transparent piece of ruby that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading A brand that can't be burned over is more precious than rubies now; and the bigger it is, the better.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

plural of “rustler” — someone who steals livestock (especially cattle)

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

without mercy or pity

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

in an unfortunate way

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So, when it came to the round-up, the old doctor received his reward, for he claimed every maverick in the bunch and took them home for his own.

inflected form of “swear” — utter obscenities or profanities

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

the second largest state; located in southwestern United States on the Gulf of Mexico

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading A brand that can't be burned over is more precious than rubies now; and the bigger it is, the better.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A brand that can't be burned over is more precious than rubies now; and the bigger it is, the better.

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

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading So, when it came to the round-up, the old doctor received his reward, for he claimed every maverick in the bunch and took them home for his own.

in or at that place or location

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading This was a long time ago, in the age of myth and fable, and the doctor's herd has been sadly decimated since by rustlers and ruthless brand blotchers.

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

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading So, when it came to the round-up, the old doctor received his reward, for he claimed every maverick in the bunch and took them home for his own.

not having an identifying mark

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

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

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

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

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

at the time that

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

which person or people

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

having won

From this reading The only anti-cruelty-to-animals man who ever made a winning in the cattle business was good old Dr. Maverick, of Texas, who, when they made up the first brand book, swore he could not bring himself to cut an ear or burn a brand and craved the privilege of letting his cattle run unmarked.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading REDUCED TO THE RANKS The last place in the world for a humanitarian is around a cow camp, for everything there seems to savor of cruelty and blood.