used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Old Antonia was drawn out of her almost trance-like introspection.
ampleadjectiveUS /ˈæmpəl/
more than enough in size or scope or capacity
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was an atmosphere of happiness and bustle in the house when the night of the outing came.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was an atmosphere of happiness and bustle in the house when the night of the outing came.
Antonia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Antonia was drawn out of her almost trance-like introspection.
Antonio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been an excellent horsewoman in the old San Antonio days.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading He would have preferred a carriage, but Sylvia had assumed that they would ride, and she plainly preferred that mode of travel.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading There was an atmosphere of happiness and bustle in the house when the night of the outing came.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been an excellent horsewoman in the old San Antonio days.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading There was an atmosphere of happiness and bustle in the house when the night of the outing came.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He would have preferred a carriage, but Sylvia had assumed that they would ride, and she plainly preferred that mode of travel.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There was an atmosphere of happiness and bustle in the house when the night of the outing came.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading He would have preferred a carriage, but Sylvia had assumed that they would ride, and she plainly preferred that mode of travel.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading She had been an excellent horsewoman in the old San Antonio days.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Old Antonia was drawn out of her almost trance-like introspection.
EaglenounUS /ˈiːɡəl/
any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading She had been an excellent horsewoman in the old San Antonio days.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
half-holidaynoun
a day on which half is free from work or duty
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading There was an atmosphere of happiness and bustle in the house when the night of the outing came.
Harboro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He would have preferred a carriage, but Sylvia had assumed that they would ride, and she plainly preferred that mode of travel.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Old Antonia was drawn out of her almost trance-like introspection.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
horsewomannoun
a woman horseman
From this reading She had been an excellent horsewoman in the old San Antonio days.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There was an atmosphere of happiness and bustle in the house when the night of the outing came.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was an atmosphere of happiness and bustle in the house when the night of the outing came.
introspectionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈspekʃən/
the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct
From this reading Old Antonia was drawn out of her almost trance-like introspection.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
engage in
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
modenounUS /moʊd/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He would have preferred a carriage, but Sylvia had assumed that they would ride, and she plainly preferred that mode of travel.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading There was an atmosphere of happiness and bustle in the house when the night of the outing came.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was an atmosphere of happiness and bustle in the house when the night of the outing came.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She had been an excellent horsewoman in the old San Antonio days.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Old Antonia was drawn out of her almost trance-like introspection.
outingnounUS /ˈaʊtɪŋ/
a journey taken for pleasure
From this reading There was an atmosphere of happiness and bustle in the house when the night of the outing came.
go across or through
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading He would have preferred a carriage, but Sylvia had assumed that they would ride, and she plainly preferred that mode of travel.
preferredadjectiveUS /prəˈfɜːrd/
more desirable than another
From this reading He would have preferred a carriage, but Sylvia had assumed that they would ride, and she plainly preferred that mode of travel.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading He would have preferred a carriage, but Sylvia had assumed that they would ride, and she plainly preferred that mode of travel.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been an excellent horsewoman in the old San Antonio days.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
selectionnounUS /səˈlekʃən/
the act of choosing or selecting
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He would have preferred a carriage, but Sylvia had assumed that they would ride, and she plainly preferred that mode of travel.
stableadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪbəl/
resistant to change of position or condition
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He would have preferred a carriage, but Sylvia had assumed that they would ride, and she plainly preferred that mode of travel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was an atmosphere of happiness and bustle in the house when the night of the outing came.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was an atmosphere of happiness and bustle in the house when the night of the outing came.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He would have preferred a carriage, but Sylvia had assumed that they would ride, and she plainly preferred that mode of travel.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Harboro easily managed a half-holiday (it was a Saturday), and he had ample time to make careful selection of horses for Sylvia and himself at an Eagle Pass stable.
trance-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Antonia was drawn out of her almost trance-like introspection.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He would have preferred a carriage, but Sylvia had assumed that they would ride, and she plainly preferred that mode of travel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was an atmosphere of happiness and bustle in the house when the night of the outing came.
at the time that
From this reading There was an atmosphere of happiness and bustle in the house when the night of the outing came.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would have preferred a carriage, but Sylvia had assumed that they would ride, and she plainly preferred that mode of travel.
