used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading They probably saw the impossibility of overtaking the fugitives by a direct pursuit, and paused to decide upon some different course of action.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
ascendingadjectiveUS /əˈsendɪŋ/
moving or going or growing upward
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
earlier than; in front of
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
coincidencenounUS /koʊˈɪnsɪdəns/
an event that might have been arranged although it was really accidental
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading They probably saw the impossibility of overtaking the fugitives by a direct pursuit, and paused to decide upon some different course of action.
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading They probably saw the impossibility of overtaking the fugitives by a direct pursuit, and paused to decide upon some different course of action.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading They probably saw the impossibility of overtaking the fugitives by a direct pursuit, and paused to decide upon some different course of action.
command with authority
From this reading They probably saw the impossibility of overtaking the fugitives by a direct pursuit, and paused to decide upon some different course of action.
divisionsnounUS /dɪˈvɪʒənz/
plural of “division” — an army unit large enough to sustain combat
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
fasteradverbUS /ˈfæstər/
more quickly
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading THE PRIMITIVE FORT.
fugitivesnounUS /ˈfjuːdʒɪtɪvz/
plural of “fugitive” — someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading They probably saw the impossibility of overtaking the fugitives by a direct pursuit, and paused to decide upon some different course of action.
gaitnounUS /ɡeɪt/
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
impossibilitynounUS /ˌɪmpɔːsɪˈbɪlɪti/
incapability of existing or occurring
From this reading They probably saw the impossibility of overtaking the fugitives by a direct pursuit, and paused to decide upon some different course of action.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
full of life and energy
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
engage in
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
overtakingnounUS /ˈoʊvərteɪkɪŋ/
going by something that is moving in order to get in front of it
From this reading They probably saw the impossibility of overtaking the fugitives by a direct pursuit, and paused to decide upon some different course of action.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading They probably saw the impossibility of overtaking the fugitives by a direct pursuit, and paused to decide upon some different course of action.
PRIMITIVEadjectiveUS /ˈprɪmətɪv/
belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness
From this reading THE PRIMITIVE FORT.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading They probably saw the impossibility of overtaking the fugitives by a direct pursuit, and paused to decide upon some different course of action.
provenadjectiveUS /ˈpruːvən/
established beyond doubt
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
providentialadjectiveUS /ˌprɑːvəˈdenʃəl/
peculiarly fortunate or appropriate; as if by divine intervention
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading They probably saw the impossibility of overtaking the fugitives by a direct pursuit, and paused to decide upon some different course of action.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
precisely, exactly
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
rustlersnounUS /ˈrʌsələrz/
plural of “rustler” — someone who steals livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
cut with a saw
From this reading They probably saw the impossibility of overtaking the fugitives by a direct pursuit, and paused to decide upon some different course of action.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
shootingnounUS /ˈʃuːtɪŋ/
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
spurringnounUS /ˈspɜːrɪŋ/
a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
be standing; be upright
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
stockmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PRIMITIVE FORT.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
there'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
they're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Move a little lively, boys," added the captain, spurring his horse to a faster gait; "there'll be some shooting, and they're closer than they ought to be."
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading They probably saw the impossibility of overtaking the fugitives by a direct pursuit, and paused to decide upon some different course of action.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading This was proven by what they did a few minutes later, for they separated into two divisions, one turning to the right and the other to the left.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading By a providential coincidence, the whole party of rustlers halted before ascending the ridge, which would give them a view of the building in which the stockmen were about to make a stand.
