used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/
past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
automaticsnounUS /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪks/
plural of “automatic” — light machine gun
From this reading Their automatics were in their hands.
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The lads saw weapons in their hands, but saw no evidence that the fellows intended using them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
consultationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəlˈteɪʃən/
a conference (usually with someone important)
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
cowboysnounUS /ˈkaʊbɔɪz/
plural of “cowboy” — a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading The lads saw weapons in their hands, but saw no evidence that the fellows intended using them.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading The lads saw weapons in their hands, but saw no evidence that the fellows intended using them.
start firing a weapon
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
flapverbUS /flæp/
move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
brought together in one place
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Their automatics were in their hands.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading The lads saw weapons in their hands, but saw no evidence that the fellows intended using them.
discontinued temporarily
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
ladsnounUS /lædz/
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading The lads saw weapons in their hands, but saw no evidence that the fellows intended using them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
not any; not one
From this reading The lads saw weapons in their hands, but saw no evidence that the fellows intended using them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
being perceived or observed
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/
in the recent past
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
cut with a saw
From this reading The lads saw weapons in their hands, but saw no evidence that the fellows intended using them.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their automatics were in their hands.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The lads saw weapons in their hands, but saw no evidence that the fellows intended using them.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
usingnounUS /ˈjuːzɪŋ/
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading The lads saw weapons in their hands, but saw no evidence that the fellows intended using them.
weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/
plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading A short distance from the camp the cowboys paused as if for a consultation, although the show of weapons made by the boys may have had something to do with their quick stop.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Their automatics were in their hands.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
which person or people
From this reading As the boys stood ready to defend themselves if attacked, they noticed that the two strangers who had recently arrived at the camp were creeping farther into the tent, at the flap of which they had been sitting.
WIG-WAG
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED WIG-WAG The boys gathered in a little group not far from the fire and awaited, with what excitement and anxiety may well be imagined, the arrival of the officers.
