used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a moment the Indian fire is silenced in the rapid fusillade that follows.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
ApachenounUS /əˈpætʃi/
any member of Athapaskan tribes that migrated to the southwestern desert (from Arizona to Texas and south into Mexico); fought a losing battle from 1861 to 1886 with the United States and were resettled in Oklahoma
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
apieceadverbUS /əˈpiːs/
to or from every one of two or more (considered individually)
From this reading "Now, lads, give 'em two or three shots apiece to make them hug their cover.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
barkingverbUS /ˈbɑːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “bark” — speak in an unfriendly tone
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
bulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
carbines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
cavesnounUS /keɪvz/
plural of “cave” — a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading Then down for the caves, every man of you," is the order.
challengeverbUS /ˈtʃæləndʒ/
take exception to
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading Then Costigan comes climbing to the lookout.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading Then Costigan comes climbing to the lookout.
Costigan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then Costigan comes climbing to the lookout.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading "Now, lads, give 'em two or three shots apiece to make them hug their cover.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Then down for the caves, every man of you," is the order.
a quad with a square body
From this reading "Now, lads, give 'em two or three shots apiece to make them hug their cover.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Then down for the caves, every man of you," is the order.
start firing a weapon
From this reading For a moment the Indian fire is silenced in the rapid fusillade that follows.
third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading For a moment the Indian fire is silenced in the rapid fusillade that follows.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then down for the caves, every man of you," is the order.
fusilladenounUS /ˈfjuːsɪleɪd/
rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
From this reading For a moment the Indian fire is silenced in the rapid fusillade that follows.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading "Now, lads, give 'em two or three shots apiece to make them hug their cover.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
hissverbUS /hɪs/
make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
hugverbUS /hʌɡ/
hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
From this reading "Now, lads, give 'em two or three shots apiece to make them hug their cover.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For a moment the Indian fire is silenced in the rapid fusillade that follows.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading For a moment the Indian fire is silenced in the rapid fusillade that follows.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then down for the caves, every man of you," is the order.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
ladsnounUS /lædz/
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading "Now, lads, give 'em two or three shots apiece to make them hug their cover.
lookoutnounUS /ˈlʊkaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading Then Costigan comes climbing to the lookout.
lurking-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
engage in
From this reading "Now, lads, give 'em two or three shots apiece to make them hug their cover.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Then down for the caves, every man of you," is the order.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment the Indian fire is silenced in the rapid fusillade that follows.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Now, lads, give 'em two or three shots apiece to make them hug their cover.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then down for the caves, every man of you," is the order.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Now, lads, give 'em two or three shots apiece to make them hug their cover.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Then down for the caves, every man of you," is the order.
powder-smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
puffverbUS /pʌf/
smoke and exhale strongly
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading For a moment the Indian fire is silenced in the rapid fusillade that follows.
searchingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading "Now, lads, give 'em two or three shots apiece to make them hug their cover.
silencedadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənst/
reduced to silence
From this reading For a moment the Indian fire is silenced in the rapid fusillade that follows.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For a moment the Indian fire is silenced in the rapid fusillade that follows.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then down for the caves, every man of you," is the order.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "Now, lads, give 'em two or three shots apiece to make them hug their cover.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Now, lads, give 'em two or three shots apiece to make them hug their cover.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then down for the caves, every man of you," is the order.
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading "Now, lads, give 'em two or three shots apiece to make them hug their cover.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Now, lads, give 'em two or three shots apiece to make them hug their cover.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "Now, lads, give 'em two or three shots apiece to make them hug their cover.
a message informing of danger
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading Sharp and quick the carbines are barking their challenge, and whenever a puff of powder-smoke has marked the probable lurking-place of an Apache, thither hiss the searching bullets warning him to keep down.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Then down for the caves, every man of you," is the order.
