used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
Abe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading THE NIGHT ATTACK.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
bendverbUS /bend/
form a curve
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The “Crow-Killer” was surrounded by eager questioners when he dismounted.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
Crow-Killer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Crow-Killer” was surrounded by eager questioners when he dismounted.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
Dave's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The emigrants had heard the shots, and, under Dave’s direction, had prepared for attack.
recognizable; marked
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading The emigrants had heard the shots, and, under Dave’s direction, had prepared for attack.
dismounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Crow-Killer” was surrounded by eager questioners when he dismounted.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading The “Crow-Killer” was surrounded by eager questioners when he dismounted.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
emigrantsnounUS /ˈeməɡrənts/
plural of “emigrant” — someone who leaves one country to settle in another
From this reading The emigrants had heard the shots, and, under Dave’s direction, had prepared for attack.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The emigrants had heard the shots, and, under Dave’s direction, had prepared for attack.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The “Crow-Killer” was surrounded by eager questioners when he dismounted.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The emigrants had heard the shots, and, under Dave’s direction, had prepared for attack.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
a particular point in time
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE NIGHT ATTACK.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
overtookverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈtʊk/
inflected form of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading The emigrants had heard the shots, and, under Dave’s direction, had prepared for attack.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
questionersnounUS /ˈkwestʃənərz/
plural of “questioner” — someone who asks a question
From this reading The “Crow-Killer” was surrounded by eager questioners when he dismounted.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
savagesnounUS /ˈsævədʒəz/
plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The emigrants had heard the shots, and, under Dave’s direction, had prepared for attack.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
confined on all sides
From this reading The “Crow-Killer” was surrounded by eager questioners when he dismounted.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NIGHT ATTACK.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
create by training and teaching
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The emigrants had heard the shots, and, under Dave’s direction, had prepared for attack.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
at the time that
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
in or at the place that
From this reading The train had reached the bend in the river where Abe had decided to camp, and was preparing supper when the guide overtook them.
the words that are spoken
From this reading In a few words he told the emigrants that they were in danger of an attack every moment, but that beyond a doubt they could easily beat off the savages.
