used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
(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 Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "It is over," said the parent in an undertone.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading Mother and daughter maintained their listening attitude a while longer, but nothing more reached their ears.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
dearly loved
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mother and daughter maintained their listening attitude a while longer, but nothing more reached their ears.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
cattle-range
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
a female human offspring
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Mother and daughter maintained their listening attitude a while longer, but nothing more reached their ears.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It is over," said the parent in an undertone.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It is over," said the parent in an undertone.
Jennie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
for more time
From this reading Mother and daughter maintained their listening attitude a while longer, but nothing more reached their ears.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading LOOKING SOUTHWARD.
maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/
kept in good condition
From this reading Mother and daughter maintained their listening attitude a while longer, but nothing more reached their ears.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Mother and daughter maintained their listening attitude a while longer, but nothing more reached their ears.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Mother and daughter maintained their listening attitude a while longer, but nothing more reached their ears.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "It is over," said the parent in an undertone.
parentnounUS /ˈperənt/
a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading "It is over," said the parent in an undertone.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
with speed
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Mother and daughter maintained their listening attitude a while longer, but nothing more reached their ears.
rifle-firing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "It is over," said the parent in an undertone.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
a male human offspring
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
SOUTHWARDadverbUS /ˈsaʊθwərd/
toward the south
From this reading LOOKING SOUTHWARD.
not in physical motion
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
undertonenounUS /ˈʌndərtoʊn/
a quiet or hushed tone of voice
From this reading "It is over," said the parent in an undertone.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Three shots came in quick succession; then, after the interval of a full minute, two more followed, and then all was still.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
in or at the place that
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Mother and daughter maintained their listening attitude a while longer, but nothing more reached their ears.
WhitneynounUS /ˈwɪtni/
United States inventor of the mechanical cotton gin (1765-1825)
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Jennie stood at the door of their ranch listening, with rapidly beating hearts, to the sounds of rifle-firing from the direction of the cattle-range where the beloved husband and son were looking after their property.
