Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

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

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

anew

From this reading I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

(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 I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

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

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

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

From this reading I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

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

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

a mountain or tall hill

From this reading _hear_!" remarked Hunky Ben, with a quiet laugh.

form a curve

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

(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 "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

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

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

a state in west central United States in the Rocky Mountains

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

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

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

a small conspicuous constellation in the southern hemisphere in the Milky Way near Centaurus

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

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

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

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

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

take in liquids

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

one or the other of two

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

a boy or man

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading "Hear!

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

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

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

From this reading _hear_!" remarked Hunky Ben, with a quiet laugh.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

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

From this reading I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

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

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

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

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

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

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

the sound of laughing

From this reading _hear_!" remarked Hunky Ben, with a quiet laugh.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

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 "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

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

From this reading I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

inflected form of “pat” — pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

a range horse of the western United States

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

(electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading _hear_!" remarked Hunky Ben, with a quiet laugh.

past form of “remark” — make mention of

From this reading _hear_!" remarked Hunky Ben, with a quiet laugh.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

in or at or to some place

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

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

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

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

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

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

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned

From this reading I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

make an effort or attempt

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

(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 "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

weak in willpower, courage or vitality

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

in the company of; together with

From this reading _hear_!" remarked Hunky Ben, with a quiet laugh.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.

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

From this reading I've seen more than enough o' the curse that comes to us all on account of it, and I won't be caught in _that_ trap again."

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading "Don't ye think, Crux," interposed Darvall, "that a long life an' a happy one might be better than either?"

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading "Well, boys," said one fine bright-looking young fellow, patting the neck of his pony, "whether my life is to be long or short, merry, wishy-washy or happy, I shall be off cow-punching for the next six months or so, somewhere about the African bend, on the Colorado River, in South Texas, an' I mean to try an' keep my pulse a-goin' _without_ drink.