used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His own animal he could trust in such an emergency; but the other had seemed to lose in height and he knew that it was trembling.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading His own animal he could trust in such an emergency; but the other had seemed to lose in height and he knew that it was trembling.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It might make a bolt for it at any moment.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It might make a bolt for it at any moment.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "Keep your seat," he shouted to Sylvia, and she realized that he was leading both horses away from the road.
boltnounUS /boʊlt/
a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading It might make a bolt for it at any moment.
the two together, not just one
From this reading "Keep your seat," he shouted to Sylvia, and she realized that he was leading both horses away from the road.
bridlenounUS /ˈbraɪdəl/
headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
bridle-rein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His own animal he could trust in such an emergency; but the other had seemed to lose in height and he knew that it was trembling.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His own animal he could trust in such an emergency; but the other had seemed to lose in height and he knew that it was trembling.
desolationnounUS /ˌdesəˈleɪʃən/
the state of being decayed or destroyed
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
earth'snounUS /ɜːrθs/
possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
emergencynounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/
a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading His own animal he could trust in such an emergency; but the other had seemed to lose in height and he knew that it was trembling.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It might make a bolt for it at any moment.
FortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His own animal he could trust in such an emergency; but the other had seemed to lose in height and he knew that it was trembling.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading His own animal he could trust in such an emergency; but the other had seemed to lose in height and he knew that it was trembling.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading "Keep your seat," he shouted to Sylvia, and she realized that he was leading both horses away from the road.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His own animal he could trust in such an emergency; but the other had seemed to lose in height and he knew that it was trembling.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "Keep your seat," he shouted to Sylvia, and she realized that he was leading both horses away from the road.
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 Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
set down according to a plan
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading "Keep your seat," he shouted to Sylvia, and she realized that he was leading both horses away from the road.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading His own animal he could trust in such an emergency; but the other had seemed to lose in height and he knew that it was trembling.
engage in
From this reading It might make a bolt for it at any moment.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It might make a bolt for it at any moment.
a particular point in time
From this reading It might make a bolt for it at any moment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading His own animal he could trust in such an emergency; but the other had seemed to lose in height and he knew that it was trembling.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading "Keep your seat," he shouted to Sylvia, and she realized that he was leading both horses away from the road.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading "Keep your seat," he shouted to Sylvia, and she realized that he was leading both horses away from the road.
RunyonnounUS /ˈrʌnjən/
United States writer of humorous stylized stories about Broadway and the New York underground (1884-1946)
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading "Keep your seat," he shouted to Sylvia, and she realized that he was leading both horses away from the road.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading His own animal he could trust in such an emergency; but the other had seemed to lose in height and he knew that it was trembling.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Keep your seat," he shouted to Sylvia, and she realized that he was leading both horses away from the road.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading "Keep your seat," he shouted to Sylvia, and she realized that he was leading both horses away from the road.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading His own animal he could trust in such an emergency; but the other had seemed to lose in height and he knew that it was trembling.
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Keep your seat," he shouted to Sylvia, and she realized that he was leading both horses away from the road.
Sylvia's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He sprang from his horse and drew his bridle-rein over his arm; and then he laid a firm hand on the bridle of Sylvia's horse.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
a shaky motion
From this reading His own animal he could trust in such an emergency; but the other had seemed to lose in height and he knew that it was trembling.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading His own animal he could trust in such an emergency; but the other had seemed to lose in height and he knew that it was trembling.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His own animal he could trust in such an emergency; but the other had seemed to lose in height and he knew that it was trembling.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Fortunately, Runyon knew what to do in that hour of earth's desolation and his own and Sylvia's peril.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Keep your seat," he shouted to Sylvia, and she realized that he was leading both horses away from the road.
