used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
afearedadjective
a pronunciation of afraid
From this reading I was indignant with the little cuss for not bein’ afeared of Injuns.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading “Beliefs is all right to the believers,” sez I, stiffenin’ up; “but facts is facts whether you believe in ’em or not.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
bein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was indignant with the little cuss for not bein’ afeared of Injuns.
BeliefsnounUS /bɪˈliːfs/
plural of “belief” — any cognitive content held as true
From this reading “Beliefs is all right to the believers,” sez I, stiffenin’ up; “but facts is facts whether you believe in ’em or not.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading “Beliefs is all right to the believers,” sez I, stiffenin’ up; “but facts is facts whether you believe in ’em or not.
believersnounUS /bəˈliːvərz/
plural of “believer” — a supporter who accepts something as true
From this reading “Beliefs is all right to the believers,” sez I, stiffenin’ up; “but facts is facts whether you believe in ’em or not.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
CainnounUS /keɪn/
(Old Testament) Cain and Abel were the first children of Adam and Eve born after the Fall of Man; Cain killed Abel out of jealousy and was exiled by God
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every Injun outrage since the Civil War was planned on a reservation, an’ we can’t take no chances.”
carin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Every Injun outrage since the Civil War was planned on a reservation, an’ we can’t take no chances.”
CiviladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading Every Injun outrage since the Civil War was planned on a reservation, an’ we can’t take no chances.”
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
consid'able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
cussnounUS /kʌs/
a persistently annoying person
From this reading I was indignant with the little cuss for not bein’ afeared of Injuns.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
a quad with a square body
From this reading “Beliefs is all right to the believers,” sez I, stiffenin’ up; “but facts is facts whether you believe in ’em or not.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every Injun outrage since the Civil War was planned on a reservation, an’ we can’t take no chances.”
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading “Beliefs is all right to the believers,” sez I, stiffenin’ up; “but facts is facts whether you believe in ’em or not.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I was indignant with the little cuss for not bein’ afeared of Injuns.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
be suspended or hanging
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
he'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
Horace'snounUS /ˈhɔːrəsəz/
possessive form of “horace” — Roman lyric poet said to have influenced English poetry (65-8 BC)
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
hoss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
hosses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was indignant with the little cuss for not bein’ afeared of Injuns.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Beliefs is all right to the believers,” sez I, stiffenin’ up; “but facts is facts whether you believe in ’em or not.
indignantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnənt/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading I was indignant with the little cuss for not bein’ afeared of Injuns.
Injunnoun
(slang) offensive term for Native Americans
From this reading Every Injun outrage since the Civil War was planned on a reservation, an’ we can’t take no chances.”
Injuns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was indignant with the little cuss for not bein’ afeared of Injuns.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Beliefs is all right to the believers,” sez I, stiffenin’ up; “but facts is facts whether you believe in ’em or not.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
kickverbUS /kɪk/
drive or propel with the foot
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I was indignant with the little cuss for not bein’ afeared of Injuns.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
not any; not one
From this reading Every Injun outrage since the Civil War was planned on a reservation, an’ we can’t take no chances.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I was indignant with the little cuss for not bein’ afeared of Injuns.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I was indignant with the little cuss for not bein’ afeared of Injuns.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Every Injun outrage since the Civil War was planned on a reservation, an’ we can’t take no chances.”
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Beliefs is all right to the believers,” sez I, stiffenin’ up; “but facts is facts whether you believe in ’em or not.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
outragenounUS /ˈaʊtreɪdʒ/
a feeling of righteous anger
From this reading Every Injun outrage since the Civil War was planned on a reservation, an’ we can’t take no chances.”
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading Every Injun outrage since the Civil War was planned on a reservation, an’ we can’t take no chances.”
raise the level or amount of something
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
reservationnounUS /ˌrezərˈveɪʃən/
a district that is reserved for particular purpose
From this reading Every Injun outrage since the Civil War was planned on a reservation, an’ we can’t take no chances.”
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
precisely, exactly
From this reading “Beliefs is all right to the believers,” sez I, stiffenin’ up; “but facts is facts whether you believe in ’em or not.
sez
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Beliefs is all right to the believers,” sez I, stiffenin’ up; “but facts is facts whether you believe in ’em or not.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
simmerverbUS /ˈsɪmər/
boil slowly at low temperature
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Every Injun outrage since the Civil War was planned on a reservation, an’ we can’t take no chances.”
stiffenin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Beliefs is all right to the believers,” sez I, stiffenin’ up; “but facts is facts whether you believe in ’em or not.
stringin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
carry out
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I was indignant with the little cuss for not bein’ afeared of Injuns.
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading My theory was, ’at nerves was a lot like hosses: keep a hoss shut up an’ he’ll get bad an’ kick an’ raise Cain; but take him out an’ ride his hide loose, an’ he’ll simmer down consid’able.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Every Injun outrage since the Civil War was planned on a reservation, an’ we can’t take no chances.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was indignant with the little cuss for not bein’ afeared of Injuns.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Every Injun outrage since the Civil War was planned on a reservation, an’ we can’t take no chances.”
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading “Beliefs is all right to the believers,” sez I, stiffenin’ up; “but facts is facts whether you believe in ’em or not.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I was indignant with the little cuss for not bein’ afeared of Injuns.
be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading I wanted to give Horace’s nerves such a complete stringin’ out that they wouldn’t worry him any more for a year; an’ here he was, not carin’ a hang for Injuns.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Beliefs is all right to the believers,” sez I, stiffenin’ up; “but facts is facts whether you believe in ’em or not.
