used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
adobenounUS /əˈdoʊbi/
the clay from which adobe bricks are made
From this reading This was a cluster of adobe huts upon a little stream.
(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 A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To the north lay an unbroken mesa, or plateau, having no shelter within a known distance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
belongingnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋ/
happiness felt in a secure relationship
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
browsedverbUS /braʊzd/
past form of “browse” — shop around; not necessarily buying
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
clusterverbUS /ˈklʌstər/
come together as in a cluster or flock
From this reading This was a cluster of adobe huts upon a little stream.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading To the north lay an unbroken mesa, or plateau, having no shelter within a known distance.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
exploredverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrd/
past form of “explore” — inquire into
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
foldingnounUS /ˈfoʊldɪŋ/
the process whereby a protein molecule assumes its intricate three-dimensional shape
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
destroyed or killed
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading To the north lay an unbroken mesa, or plateau, having no shelter within a known distance.
hutsnounUS /hʌts/
plural of “hut” — temporary military shelter
From this reading This was a cluster of adobe huts upon a little stream.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading To the north lay an unbroken mesa, or plateau, having no shelter within a known distance.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading To the north lay an unbroken mesa, or plateau, having no shelter within a known distance.
leaguesnounUS /liːɡz/
plural of “league” — an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading This was a cluster of adobe huts upon a little stream.
Manuel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
mesanounUS /ˈmeɪsə/
flat tableland with steep edges
From this reading To the north lay an unbroken mesa, or plateau, having no shelter within a known distance.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
neighboringadjectiveUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
not any; not one
From this reading To the north lay an unbroken mesa, or plateau, having no shelter within a known distance.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading To the north lay an unbroken mesa, or plateau, having no shelter within a known distance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This was a cluster of adobe huts upon a little stream.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
ownedadjectiveUS /oʊnd/
having an owner; often used in combination
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
plainsnounUS /pleɪnz/
plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
plateaunounUS /plæˈtoʊ/
a relatively flat highland
From this reading To the north lay an unbroken mesa, or plateau, having no shelter within a known distance.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
ranchos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
Refugio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
routesnounUS /ruːts/
plural of “route” — an established line of travel or access
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
shearingnounUS /ˈʃɪrɪŋ/
removing by cutting off or clipping
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
shearing-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
sheep-bands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading To the north lay an unbroken mesa, or plateau, having no shelter within a known distance.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading This was a cluster of adobe huts upon a little stream.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was a cluster of adobe huts upon a little stream.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To the north lay an unbroken mesa, or plateau, having no shelter within a known distance.
unbrokenadjectiveUS /ənˈbroʊkən/
marked by continuous or uninterrupted extension in space or time or sequence
From this reading To the north lay an unbroken mesa, or plateau, having no shelter within a known distance.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading This was a cluster of adobe huts upon a little stream.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was four leagues distant from the Mission and, during the shearing, used as a folding for the sheep-bands owned by Mr. Manuel, though at other times these browsed upon the plains or were driven into the mountains.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading A PICTURE IN THE SKY The searching parties from Refugio and the neighboring ranchos had all gone east, west, or south.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading To the north lay an unbroken mesa, or plateau, having no shelter within a known distance.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Nobody dreamed that the children would follow other than familiar routes, and the first point explored was the “shearing-place,” belonging to Refugio itself.
