adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
agin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
assistverbUS /əˈsɪst/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
attractedverbUS /əˈtræktɪd/
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
bagnounUS /bæɡ/
a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
bystandernounUS /ˈbaɪstændər/
a nonparticipant spectator
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
cloudverbUS /klaʊd/
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
coquettishadjective
like a coquette
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
correspondencenounUS /ˌkɔːrəˈspɑːndəns/
communication by the exchange of letters
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
dexterouslyadverb
with dexterity; in a dexterous manner
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
difficultynounUS /ˈdɪfəkəlti/
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
dozennounUS /ˈdʌzən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
draggedverbUS /dræɡd/
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
dustverbUS /dʌst/
remove the dust from
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
eagerlyadverbUS /ˈiːɡərli/
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
endsnounUS /endz/
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
exertionnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃən/
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
fairadjectiveUS /fer/
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
felineadjectiveUS /ˈfiːlaɪn/
of or relating to cats
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
flungverbUS /flʌŋ/
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
flushedadjectiveUS /flʌʃt/
having the pinkish flush of health
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
foreheadnounUS /ˈfɔːrhed/
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
gradenounUS /ɡreɪd/
a body of students who are taught together
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
hairnounUS /her/
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
hotadjectiveUS /hɑːt/
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
inclosurenounUS /ˌɪnˈkloʊʒər/
something (usually a supporting document) that is enclosed in an envelope with a covering letter
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
instinctnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
interdictnounUS /ˈɪntərdɪkt/
an ecclesiastical censure by the Roman Catholic Church withdrawing certain sacraments and Christian burial from a person or all persons in a particular district
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
LaurelnounUS /ˈlɔːrəl/
any of various aromatic trees of the laurel family
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
levelnounUS /ˈlevəl/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
lockedverbUS /lɑːkt/
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
looseadjectiveUS /luːs/
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
loungers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
mailbagnounUS /ˈmeɪlbæɡ/
pouch used in the shipment of mail
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
momentarilyadverbUS /ˌmoʊmənˈterəli/
for an instant or moment
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
officialadjectiveUS /əˈfɪʃəl/
having official authority or sanction
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
OutadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
partitionedverbUS /pɑːrˈtɪʃənd/
past form of “partition” — divide into parts, pieces, or sections
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
passingnounUS /ˈpæsɪŋ/
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
perspirationnounUS /ˌpɜːrspərˈeɪʃən/
salty fluid secreted by sweat glands
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
platformnounUS /ˈplætfɔːrm/
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
post-office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
postmistressnoun
a woman postmaster
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
pouncedverbUS /paʊnst/
past form of “pounce” — move down on as if in an attack
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
precipitateverbUS /prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/
bring about abruptly
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
presentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/
in the near future
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
rapidlyadverbUS /ˈræpədli/
with speed
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
rednounUS /red/
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
ringsnounUS /rɪŋz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
RunverbUS /rʌn/
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
settlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
shakeverbUS /ʃeɪk/
move or cause to move back and forth
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
siftedverbUS /ˈsɪftɪd/
past form of “sift” — move as if through a sieve
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
slightlyadverbUS /ˈslaɪtli/
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
stagenounUS /steɪdʒ/
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
steepadjectiveUS /stiːp/
having a sharp inclination
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
stretchedadjectiveUS /stretʃt/
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
tantalizingadjectiveUS /ˈtæntəlaɪzɪŋ/
arousing desire or expectation for something unattainable or mockingly out of reach
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
topnounUS /tɑːp/
the upper part of anything
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
touchverbUS /tʌtʃ/
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
vanishedadjectiveUS /ˈvænɪʃt/
having passed out of existence
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
vehiclenounUS /ˈviːhɪkəl/
a conveyance that transports people or objects
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
visibleadjectiveUS /ˈvɪzəbəl/
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
warningnounUS /ˈwɔːrnɪŋ/
a message informing of danger
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
wetadjectiveUS /wet/
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Out of this cloud presently emerged the neat figure of the postmistress with the mailbag which had been dexterously flung at her feet from the top of the passing vehicle.
whirlingnounUS /ˈwɜːrlɪŋ/
the act of rotating in a circle or spiral
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Her pretty face, momentarily visible through the window, was slightly flushed with the exertion, and the loose ends of her fair hair, wet with perspiration, curled themselves over her forehead into tantalizing little rings.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The mail stage had just passed Laurel Run,--so rapidly that the whirling cloud of dust dragged with it down the steep grade from the summit hung over the level long after the stage had vanished, and then, drifting away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the hot platform of the Laurel Run post-office.
withheldverbUS /wɪθˈheld/
inflected form of “withhold” — hold back; refuse to hand over or share
From this reading A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to assist her, but the warning: “It's agin the rules, boys, for any but her to touch it,” from a bystander, and a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress herself--much more effective than any official interdict--withheld them.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The bag was not heavy,--Laurel Run was too recent a settlement to have attracted much correspondence,--and the young woman, having pounced upon her prey with a certain feline instinct, dragged it, not without difficulty, behind the partitioned inclosure in the office, and locked the door.
