used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
after-breakfast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was early for any of the men to be back from the township he knew, and this man was riding hard.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The rapid tat-at-at tat-at-at of a horse at a hard canter and the clash of iron-shod hoofs on the rocky track made Scottie look up sharply.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was early for any of the men to be back from the township he knew, and this man was riding hard.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
canterverbUS /ˈkæntər/
ride at a canter
From this reading The rapid tat-at-at tat-at-at of a horse at a hard canter and the clash of iron-shod hoofs on the rocky track made Scottie look up sharply.
clashnounUS /klæʃ/
A violent confrontation or disagreement between opposing forces or factions.
From this reading The rapid tat-at-at tat-at-at of a horse at a hard canter and the clash of iron-shod hoofs on the rocky track made Scottie look up sharply.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
drowsingadjective
half asleep
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
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 It was early for any of the men to be back from the township he knew, and this man was riding hard.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
EssnounUS /es/
plural of “es” — a radioactive transuranic element produced by bombarding plutonium with neutrons
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was early for any of the men to be back from the township he knew, and this man was riding hard.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was early for any of the men to be back from the township he knew, and this man was riding hard.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading He glanced quickly inside the room at the girl, rose quietly and slipped off the verandah, and walked with long unhurried strides towards the gate.
a young female
From this reading He glanced quickly inside the room at the girl, rose quietly and slipped off the verandah, and walked with long unhurried strides towards the gate.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He glanced quickly inside the room at the girl, rose quietly and slipped off the verandah, and walked with long unhurried strides towards the gate.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The rapid tat-at-at tat-at-at of a horse at a hard canter and the clash of iron-shod hoofs on the rocky track made Scottie look up sharply.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was early for any of the men to be back from the township he knew, and this man was riding hard.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
hoofsnounUS /hʊfs/
plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal
From this reading The rapid tat-at-at tat-at-at of a horse at a hard canter and the clash of iron-shod hoofs on the rocky track made Scottie look up sharply.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The rapid tat-at-at tat-at-at of a horse at a hard canter and the clash of iron-shod hoofs on the rocky track made Scottie look up sharply.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
iron-shod
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rapid tat-at-at tat-at-at of a horse at a hard canter and the clash of iron-shod hoofs on the rocky track made Scottie look up sharply.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
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 It was early for any of the men to be back from the township he knew, and this man was riding hard.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
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 glanced quickly inside the room at the girl, rose quietly and slipped off the verandah, and walked with long unhurried strides towards the gate.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The rapid tat-at-at tat-at-at of a horse at a hard canter and the clash of iron-shod hoofs on the rocky track made Scottie look up sharply.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The rapid tat-at-at tat-at-at of a horse at a hard canter and the clash of iron-shod hoofs on the rocky track made Scottie look up sharply.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was early for any of the men to be back from the township he knew, and this man was riding hard.
the force of workers available
From this reading It was early for any of the men to be back from the township he knew, and this man was riding hard.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He glanced quickly inside the room at the girl, rose quietly and slipped off the verandah, and walked with long unhurried strides towards the gate.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
with speed
From this reading He glanced quickly inside the room at the girl, rose quietly and slipped off the verandah, and walked with long unhurried strides towards the gate.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
with low volume
From this reading He glanced quickly inside the room at the girl, rose quietly and slipped off the verandah, and walked with long unhurried strides towards the gate.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading The rapid tat-at-at tat-at-at of a horse at a hard canter and the clash of iron-shod hoofs on the rocky track made Scottie look up sharply.
RidgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading It was early for any of the men to be back from the township he knew, and this man was riding hard.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading The rapid tat-at-at tat-at-at of a horse at a hard canter and the clash of iron-shod hoofs on the rocky track made Scottie look up sharply.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He glanced quickly inside the room at the girl, rose quietly and slipped off the verandah, and walked with long unhurried strides towards the gate.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading He glanced quickly inside the room at the girl, rose quietly and slipped off the verandah, and walked with long unhurried strides towards the gate.
SCOTTIEnounUS /ˈskɑːti/
old Scottish breed of small long-haired usually black terrier with erect tail and ears
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading The rapid tat-at-at tat-at-at of a horse at a hard canter and the clash of iron-shod hoofs on the rocky track made Scottie look up sharply.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading He glanced quickly inside the room at the girl, rose quietly and slipped off the verandah, and walked with long unhurried strides towards the gate.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
stridesnounUS /straɪdz/
plural of “stride” — a step in walking or running
From this reading He glanced quickly inside the room at the girl, rose quietly and slipped off the verandah, and walked with long unhurried strides towards the gate.
tat-at-at
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rapid tat-at-at tat-at-at of a horse at a hard canter and the clash of iron-shod hoofs on the rocky track made Scottie look up sharply.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was early for any of the men to be back from the township he knew, and this man was riding hard.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was early for any of the men to be back from the township he knew, and this man was riding hard.
in the direction of
From this reading He glanced quickly inside the room at the girl, rose quietly and slipped off the verandah, and walked with long unhurried strides towards the gate.
townshipnounUS /ˈtaʊnʃɪp/
an administrative division of a county
From this reading It was early for any of the men to be back from the township he knew, and this man was riding hard.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading The rapid tat-at-at tat-at-at of a horse at a hard canter and the clash of iron-shod hoofs on the rocky track made Scottie look up sharply.
unhurriedadjectiveUS /ənˈhɜːrid/
relaxed and leisurely; without hurry or haste
From this reading He glanced quickly inside the room at the girl, rose quietly and slipped off the verandah, and walked with long unhurried strides towards the gate.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
verandahnoun
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading He glanced quickly inside the room at the girl, rose quietly and slipped off the verandah, and walked with long unhurried strides towards the gate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
washingnounUS /ˈwɑːʃɪŋ/
the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading SCOTTIE was sitting on the verandah enjoying an after-breakfast smoke, while Ess was busy inside washing up.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He glanced quickly inside the room at the girl, rose quietly and slipped off the verandah, and walked with long unhurried strides towards the gate.
wonderfullyadverbUS /ˈwʌndərfəli/
(used as an intensifier) extremely well
From this reading It was wonderfully quiet and still, and the hills lay drowsing in the heat, though, back on the Ridge there, a pleasant breath of wind sighed soft and cool.
