used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading The wandering breeze whipped out stray curling locks about his ears and temples from the mass of dark hair done up in a queue.
bridlenounUS /ˈbraɪdəl/
headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
broad-brimmedadjective
(of hats) having a broad brim
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
browsnounUS /braʊz/
plural of “brow” — the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading He was dark and tall, well knit, and of powerful build, yet lithe and graceful.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
chatterverbUS /ˈtʃætər/
click repeatedly or uncontrollably
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
clatternounUS /ˈklætər/
a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
clickingverbUS /ˈklɪkɪŋ/
-ing form of “click” — move or strike with a noise
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
compressedadjectiveUS /kəmˈprest/
pressed tightly together
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
curlingnounUS /ˈkɜːrlɪŋ/
a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target
From this reading The wandering breeze whipped out stray curling locks about his ears and temples from the mass of dark hair done up in a queue.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He was dark and tall, well knit, and of powerful build, yet lithe and graceful.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading The wandering breeze whipped out stray curling locks about his ears and temples from the mass of dark hair done up in a queue.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The wandering breeze whipped out stray curling locks about his ears and temples from the mass of dark hair done up in a queue.
opinion or judgment
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
finelyadverbUS /ˈfaɪnli/
in tiny pieces
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The wandering breeze whipped out stray curling locks about his ears and temples from the mass of dark hair done up in a queue.
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading He was dark and tall, well knit, and of powerful build, yet lithe and graceful.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading The wandering breeze whipped out stray curling locks about his ears and temples from the mass of dark hair done up in a queue.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was dark and tall, well knit, and of powerful build, yet lithe and graceful.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
highwaynounUS /ˈhaɪweɪ/
a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
hoofsnounUS /hʊfs/
plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
interruptverbUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpt/
make a break in
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
knitverbUS /nɪt/
make (textiles) by knitting
From this reading He was dark and tall, well knit, and of powerful build, yet lithe and graceful.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
litheadjectiveUS /laɪð/
gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease
From this reading He was dark and tall, well knit, and of powerful build, yet lithe and graceful.
locksnounUS /lɑːks/
plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
From this reading The wandering breeze whipped out stray curling locks about his ears and temples from the mass of dark hair done up in a queue.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading The wandering breeze whipped out stray curling locks about his ears and temples from the mass of dark hair done up in a queue.
moodilyadverb
in a moody manner
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
musingsnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪŋz/
plural of “musing” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
needlesnounUS /ˈniːdəlz/
plural of “needle” — the leaf of a conifer
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
noiselesslyadverb
without a sound
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
and nothing more
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The wandering breeze whipped out stray curling locks about his ears and temples from the mass of dark hair done up in a queue.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading He was dark and tall, well knit, and of powerful build, yet lithe and graceful.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
queuenounUS /kjuː/
a line of people or vehicles waiting for something
From this reading The wandering breeze whipped out stray curling locks about his ears and temples from the mass of dark hair done up in a queue.
ridernounUS /ˈraɪdər/
a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
riding-hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
a particular situation
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
slackadjectiveUS /slæk/
not tense or taut
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
smooth-shavenadjectiveUS /ˌsmuːθˈʃeɪvən/
closely shaved recently
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
squirrelnounUS /ˈskwɜːrəl/
a kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
stalwartadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːlwərt/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
stonyadjectiveUS /ˈstoʊni/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
strayverbUS /streɪ/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading The wandering breeze whipped out stray curling locks about his ears and temples from the mass of dark hair done up in a queue.
strayedverbUS /streɪd/
past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading The broad-brimmed riding-hat was pulled well down over his strongly marked brows, and the smooth-shaven face betrayed the compressed lips of the large but finely formed mouth.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading He was dark and tall, well knit, and of powerful build, yet lithe and graceful.
templesnounUS /ˈtempəlz/
plural of “temple” — place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading The wandering breeze whipped out stray curling locks about his ears and temples from the mass of dark hair done up in a queue.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
migratory
From this reading The wandering breeze whipped out stray curling locks about his ears and temples from the mass of dark hair done up in a queue.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He was dark and tall, well knit, and of powerful build, yet lithe and graceful.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
whippedverbUS /wɪpt/
inflected form of “whip” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading The wandering breeze whipped out stray curling locks about his ears and temples from the mass of dark hair done up in a queue.
which person or people
From this reading The bridle was lying slack upon the neck of the horse, who picked his way carefully along the road, his hoofs now clicking over the stony highway, now falling noiselessly upon the brown pine needles.
belonging to which person
From this reading And the occasional clatter of his shoes, or the busy chatter of a squirrel high up in a tree, were the only sounds to interrupt the musings of the stalwart rider, whose head was bowed, and whose eyes strayed moodily about.
but in spite of that
From this reading He was dark and tall, well knit, and of powerful build, yet lithe and graceful.
