used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a long ways, but he did not reckon this.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been Col. Clark’s firm intention to return to the fort for reinforcements.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading He thought only of securing a sufficient body of men to cope successfully with the cowboys.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
buglenounUS /ˈbjuːɡəl/
a brass instrument without valves; used for military calls and fanfares
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a long ways, but he did not reckon this.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
Clark'snounUS /klɑːrks/
possessive form of “clark” — United States explorer who (with Meriwether Lewis) led an expedition from St. Louis to the mouth of the Columbia River; Clark was responsible for making maps of the area (1770-1838)
From this reading It had been Col. Clark’s firm intention to return to the fort for reinforcements.
Colnoun
a pass between mountain peaks
From this reading It had been Col. Clark’s firm intention to return to the fort for reinforcements.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
copeverbUS /koʊp/
succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available
From this reading He thought only of securing a sufficient body of men to cope successfully with the cowboys.
cowboysnounUS /ˈkaʊbɔɪz/
plural of “cowboy” — a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback
From this reading He thought only of securing a sufficient body of men to cope successfully with the cowboys.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was a long ways, but he did not reckon this.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading So on they rode the little remnant of the squad for the far distant fort.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading So on they rode the little remnant of the squad for the far distant fort.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading It had been Col. Clark’s firm intention to return to the fort for reinforcements.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It had been Col. Clark’s firm intention to return to the fort for reinforcements.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading It had been Col. Clark’s firm intention to return to the fort for reinforcements.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been Col. Clark’s firm intention to return to the fort for reinforcements.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was a long ways, but he did not reckon this.
horsemennounUS /ˈhɔːrsmən/
plural of “horseman” — a man skilled in equitation
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It had been Col. Clark’s firm intention to return to the fort for reinforcements.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been Col. Clark’s firm intention to return to the fort for reinforcements.
and nothing more
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading So on they rode the little remnant of the squad for the far distant fort.
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 It was a long ways, but he did not reckon this.
the force of workers available
From this reading He thought only of securing a sufficient body of men to cope successfully with the cowboys.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was a long ways, but he did not reckon this.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He thought only of securing a sufficient body of men to cope successfully with the cowboys.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading So on they rode the little remnant of the squad for the far distant fort.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
and nothing more
From this reading He thought only of securing a sufficient body of men to cope successfully with the cowboys.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading It was a long ways, but he did not reckon this.
reinforcementsnounUS /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrsmənts/
plural of “reinforcement” — a military operation (often involving new supplies of men and materiel) to strengthen a military force or aid in the performance of its mission
From this reading It had been Col. Clark’s firm intention to return to the fort for reinforcements.
remnantnounUS /ˈremnənt/
a small part or portion that remains after the main part no longer exists
From this reading So on they rode the little remnant of the squad for the far distant fort.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading It had been Col. Clark’s firm intention to return to the fort for reinforcements.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading So on they rode the little remnant of the squad for the far distant fort.
saddlesnounUS /ˈsædəlz/
plural of “saddle” — a seat for the rider of a horse or other animal
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
securingverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrɪŋ/
-ing form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading He thought only of securing a sufficient body of men to cope successfully with the cowboys.
sightedadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪtɪd/
able to see
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So on they rode the little remnant of the squad for the far distant fort.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
squadnounUS /skwɑːd/
a smallest army unit
From this reading So on they rode the little remnant of the squad for the far distant fort.
successfullyadverbUS /səkˈsesfəli/
with success; in a successful manner
From this reading He thought only of securing a sufficient body of men to cope successfully with the cowboys.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading He thought only of securing a sufficient body of men to cope successfully with the cowboys.
swellverbUS /swel/
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
From this reading But after a night had been spent in camp, just as the bugle called “boots and saddles,” one of the guard sighted a body of horsemen just coming over a swell in the prairie.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It had been Col. Clark’s firm intention to return to the fort for reinforcements.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So on they rode the little remnant of the squad for the far distant fort.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was a long ways, but he did not reckon this.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He thought only of securing a sufficient body of men to cope successfully with the cowboys.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It had been Col. Clark’s firm intention to return to the fort for reinforcements.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a long ways, but he did not reckon this.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading It was a long ways, but he did not reckon this.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He thought only of securing a sufficient body of men to cope successfully with the cowboys.
