used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Author of "Randolph Mason", "The Man of Last Resort," etc.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
bridlenounUS /ˈbraɪdəl/
headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
buckskinnounUS /ˈbʌkskɪn/
horse of a light yellowish dun color with dark mane and tail
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
claynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
coilsnounUS /kɔɪlz/
plural of “coil” — a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
coppernounUS /ˈkɑːpər/
a ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
dartverbUS /dɑːrt/
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
ElnounUS /el/
angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
etc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of "Randolph Mason", "The Man of Last Resort," etc.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
flickingverbUS /ˈflɪkɪŋ/
-ing form of “flick” — flash intermittently
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
hammeredadjectiveUS /ˈhæmərd/
shaped or worked with a hammer and often showing hammer marks
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
hissingnounUS /ˈhɪsɪŋ/
a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
Jud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
Knickerbocker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
lashverbUS /læʃ/
beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
immediately past
From this reading Author of "Randolph Mason", "The Man of Last Resort," etc.
leafnounUS /liːf/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
staying power
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
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 A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
MahdinounUS /ˈmɑːdi/
(Islam) a messianic leader who (according to popular Muslim belief) will appear before the end of the world and restore justice and religion
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Author of "Randolph Mason", "The Man of Last Resort," etc.
MasonnounUS /ˈmeɪsən/
American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)
From this reading Author of "Randolph Mason", "The Man of Last Resort," etc.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading The great sorrel was oblivious of this pastime of his master.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
obliviousadjectiveUS /əˈblɪviəs/
(followed by “to” or “of”) lacking conscious awareness of
From this reading The great sorrel was oblivious of this pastime of his master.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Author of "Randolph Mason", "The Man of Last Resort," etc.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
pastimenounUS /ˈpæstaɪm/
a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)
From this reading The great sorrel was oblivious of this pastime of his master.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
Putnam's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
Randolph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of "Randolph Mason", "The Man of Last Resort," etc.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
reinverbUS /reɪn/
control and direct with or as if by reins
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
ResortnounUS /rɪˈzɔːrt/
a hotel located in a resort area
From this reading Author of "Randolph Mason", "The Man of Last Resort," etc.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
rivetverbUS /ˈrɪvət/
direct one's attention on something
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
road-bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
snakyadjective
resembling a serpent in form
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
snapverbUS /snæp/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
sorreladjectiveUS /ˈsɔːrəl/
of a light brownish color
From this reading The great sorrel was oblivious of this pastime of his master.
stirrupnounUS /ˈstɜːrəp/
support consisting of metal loops into which rider's feet go
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
strapnounUS /stræp/
an elongated leather strip (or a strip of similar material) for binding things together or holding something in position
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Author of "Randolph Mason", "The Man of Last Resort," etc.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The great sorrel was oblivious of this pastime of his master.
tuckedadjectiveUS /tʌkt/
having tucked or being tucked
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
whipverbUS /wɪp/
beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading A little farther down the ridge Jud was idly swinging his great driving whip in long, snaky coils, flicking now a dry branch, and now a red autumn leaf from the clay road.
in the company of; together with
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
writheverbUS /rɪθ/
to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)
From this reading The slim buckskin lash would dart out hissing, writhe an instant on the hammered road-bed, and snap back with a sharp, clear report.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
youthfuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːθfəl/
suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
From this reading G. P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press I sat on the ground with my youthful legs tucked under me, and the bridle rein of El Mahdi over my arm, while I hammered a copper rivet into my broken stirrup strap.
