used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The scout was pretty sure that they had a sufficiently strong fortress here to withstand any ordinary attack.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Cody had never been to this hole in the mountainside before, yet he knew all about it.
(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 Cody had never been to this hole in the mountainside before, yet he knew all about it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The scout was pretty sure that they had a sufficiently strong fortress here to withstand any ordinary attack.
associatesnounUS /əˈsoʊsiəts/
plural of “associate” — a person who joins with others in some activity or endeavor
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading The scout was pretty sure that they had a sufficiently strong fortress here to withstand any ordinary attack.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Cody had never been to this hole in the mountainside before, yet he knew all about it.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
Bill'snounUS /bɪlz/
possessive form of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
BuffalonounUS /ˈbʌfəloʊ/
large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
CodynounUS /ˈkoʊdi/
United States showman famous for his Wild West Show (1846-1917)
From this reading Cody had never been to this hole in the mountainside before, yet he knew all about it.
carefully weighed
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Hunters and trappers--and some early gold-seekers--had told him of its existence.
at any time
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading Hunters and trappers--and some early gold-seekers--had told him of its existence.
explorationnounUS /ˌeksplərˈeɪʃən/
to travel for the purpose of discovery
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
flowedverbUS /floʊd/
past form of “flow” — move or progress freely as if in a stream
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
fortressnounUS /ˈfɔːrtrəs/
a fortified defensive structure
From this reading The scout was pretty sure that they had a sufficiently strong fortress here to withstand any ordinary attack.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
frontiersmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
gold-seekers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hunters and trappers--and some early gold-seekers--had told him of its existence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Cody had never been to this hole in the mountainside before, yet he knew all about it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Cody had never been to this hole in the mountainside before, yet he knew all about it.
Heart'snounUS /hɑːrts/
possessive form of “heart” — the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading The scout was pretty sure that they had a sufficiently strong fortress here to withstand any ordinary attack.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Hunters and trappers--and some early gold-seekers--had told him of its existence.
an opening into or through something
From this reading Cody had never been to this hole in the mountainside before, yet he knew all about it.
HuntersnounUS /ˈhʌntərz/
plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game
From this reading Hunters and trappers--and some early gold-seekers--had told him of its existence.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Cody had never been to this hole in the mountainside before, yet he knew all about it.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
inhabitedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈhæbətəd/
having inhabitants; lived in
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Cody had never been to this hole in the mountainside before, yet he knew all about it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Hunters and trappers--and some early gold-seekers--had told him of its existence.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Cody had never been to this hole in the mountainside before, yet he knew all about it.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
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 The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
mappedverbUS /mæpt/
inflected form of “map” — make a map of; show or establish the features of details of
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
medicinenounUS /ˈmedəsən/
the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
mountainsidenounUS /ˈmaʊntənsaɪd/
the side or slope of a mountain
From this reading Cody had never been to this hole in the mountainside before, yet he knew all about it.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Cody had never been to this hole in the mountainside before, yet he knew all about it.
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading The scout was pretty sure that they had a sufficiently strong fortress here to withstand any ordinary attack.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
penetratedverbUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪd/
past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
plainsnounUS /pleɪnz/
plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading The scout was pretty sure that they had a sufficiently strong fortress here to withstand any ordinary attack.
Sam'snounUS /sæmz/
possessive form of “sam” — a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
scoutnounUS /skaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading The scout was pretty sure that they had a sufficiently strong fortress here to withstand any ordinary attack.
sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
SiouxnounUS /suː/
a member of a group of North American Indian peoples who spoke a Siouan language and who ranged from Lake Michigan to the Rocky Mountains
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Hunters and trappers--and some early gold-seekers--had told him of its existence.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The scout was pretty sure that they had a sufficiently strong fortress here to withstand any ordinary attack.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading The scout was pretty sure that they had a sufficiently strong fortress here to withstand any ordinary attack.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The scout was pretty sure that they had a sufficiently strong fortress here to withstand any ordinary attack.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The scout was pretty sure that they had a sufficiently strong fortress here to withstand any ordinary attack.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading It had been considered “bad medicine” by the Indians who inhabited this section of the country before the Sioux had flowed over into the land, and Oak Heart’s people themselves kept away from it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The scout was pretty sure that they had a sufficiently strong fortress here to withstand any ordinary attack.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Cody had never been to this hole in the mountainside before, yet he knew all about it.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Cody had never been to this hole in the mountainside before, yet he knew all about it.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Hunters and trappers--and some early gold-seekers--had told him of its existence.
trappersnounUS /ˈtræpərz/
plural of “trapper” — someone who sets traps for animals (usually to obtain their furs)
From this reading Hunters and trappers--and some early gold-seekers--had told him of its existence.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The scout was pretty sure that they had a sufficiently strong fortress here to withstand any ordinary attack.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
which person or people
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading The frontiersmen--those who were Buffalo Bill’s associates--mapped the mountains and plains of the West long before Uncle Sam’s exploration parties ever penetrated the wilderness.
withstandverbUS /wɪθˈstænd/
resist or confront with resistance
From this reading The scout was pretty sure that they had a sufficiently strong fortress here to withstand any ordinary attack.
but in spite of that
From this reading Cody had never been to this hole in the mountainside before, yet he knew all about it.
