used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
having companions or an escort
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
awaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On awaking the next morning, the boys found themselves surrounded by new scenes.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading On awaking the next morning, the boys found themselves surrounded by new scenes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On awaking the next morning, the boys found themselves surrounded by new scenes.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
coversnounUS /ˈkʌvərz/
plural of “cover” — a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
cowsnounUS /kaʊz/
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
set up or found
From this reading On awaking the next morning, the boys found themselves surrounded by new scenes.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
hardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
homesnounUS /hoʊmz/
plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
horsebacknounUS /ˈhɔːrsbæk/
the back of a horse
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
and nothing more
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
meeklyadverbUS /ˈmiːkli/
in a submissive or spiritless manner
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
the force of workers available
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading On awaking the next morning, the boys found themselves surrounded by new scenes.
mulesnounUS /mjuːlz/
plural of “mule” — hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; usually sterile
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading On awaking the next morning, the boys found themselves surrounded by new scenes.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading On awaking the next morning, the boys found themselves surrounded by new scenes.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On awaking the next morning, the boys found themselves surrounded by new scenes.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
oxennounUS /ˈɑːksən/
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
peepedverbUS /piːpt/
past form of “peep” — look furtively
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
pioneersnounUS /ˌpaɪəˈnɪrz/
plural of “pioneer” — someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
protectedadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪd/
kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
regionnounUS /ˈriːdʒən/
the extended spatial location of something
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading On awaking the next morning, the boys found themselves surrounded by new scenes.
sleekadjectiveUS /sliːk/
well-groomed and neatly tailored; especially too well-groomed
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
solitudenounUS /ˈsɑːlətuːd/
a state of social isolation
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
confined on all sides
From this reading On awaking the next morning, the boys found themselves surrounded by new scenes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Wagon Train.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading On awaking the next morning, the boys found themselves surrounded by new scenes.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
create by training and teaching
From this reading The Wagon Train.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading The Wagon Train.
wagonsnounUS /ˈwæɡənz/
plural of “wagon” — any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading The wagons were protected by canvas covers, some drawn by oxen, others by mules, and the entire train being accompanied by men both on foot and on horseback.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
belonging to which person
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading While they were dressing, they looked out at the window, and obtained their first view of a wagon train, which was just starting out for the prairie.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Fat, sleek cows followed meekly after the wagons, from behind whose covering peeped the faces of women and children--the families of the hardy pioneers now on their way to find new homes amid the solitude of that western region.
