used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
(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 "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading PETE'S YARN They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directly easterly direction.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading PETE'S YARN They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directly easterly direction.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading PETE'S YARN They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directly easterly direction.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "How far are we now from the ranch, Pete?" inquired Jack.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Being now clear of the brush they could make good time on the springy turf.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading Being now clear of the brush they could make good time on the springy turf.
buildingsnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋz/
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
rid of obstructions
From this reading Being now clear of the brush they could make good time on the springy turf.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading "Too durn close to suit me," replied Pete.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Being now clear of the brush they could make good time on the springy turf.
creationnounUS /kriˈeɪʃən/
the human act of creating
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
absence of light or illumination
From this reading PETE'S YARN They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directly easterly direction.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading PETE'S YARN They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directly easterly direction.
without deviation
From this reading PETE'S YARN They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directly easterly direction.
durn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Too durn close to suit me," replied Pete.
easterlyadjectiveUS /ˈiːstərli/
lying in or toward the east
From this reading PETE'S YARN They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directly easterly direction.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading "How far are we now from the ranch, Pete?" inquired Jack.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "How far are we now from the ranch, Pete?" inquired Jack.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Being now clear of the brush they could make good time on the springy turf.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How far are we now from the ranch, Pete?" inquired Jack.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PETE'S YARN They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directly easterly direction.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading "How far are we now from the ranch, Pete?" inquired Jack.
a small worthless amount
From this reading "How far are we now from the ranch, Pete?" inquired Jack.
engage in
From this reading Being now clear of the brush they could make good time on the springy turf.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Too durn close to suit me," replied Pete.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Being now clear of the brush they could make good time on the springy turf.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Being now clear of the brush they could make good time on the springy turf.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Being now clear of the brush they could make good time on the springy turf.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
Pete
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How far are we now from the ranch, Pete?" inquired Jack.
PETE'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PETE'S YARN They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directly easterly direction.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading "How far are we now from the ranch, Pete?" inquired Jack.
ranchesnounUS /ˈræntʃəz/
plural of “ranch” — farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Too durn close to suit me," replied Pete.
springyadjective
elastic; rebounds readily
From this reading Being now clear of the brush they could make good time on the springy turf.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading PETE'S YARN They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directly easterly direction.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading "Too durn close to suit me," replied Pete.
express in words
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PETE'S YARN They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directly easterly direction.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "I can't tell exactly for these ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must be as close as a mile to the buildings."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading PETE'S YARN They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directly easterly direction.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading PETE'S YARN They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directly easterly direction.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Being now clear of the brush they could make good time on the springy turf.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Too durn close to suit me," replied Pete.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "Too durn close to suit me," replied Pete.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading Being now clear of the brush they could make good time on the springy turf.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "How far are we now from the ranch, Pete?" inquired Jack.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading PETE'S YARN They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directly easterly direction.
YARNnounUS /jɑːrn/
the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
From this reading PETE'S YARN They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directly easterly direction.
