used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?
(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 "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
any person at all
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
terminate
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?
cucumbernounUS /ˈkjuːkəmbər/
a melon vine of the genus Cucumis; cultivated from earliest times for its cylindrical green fruit
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
at any time
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?
finestadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəst/
superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?
GreasernounUS /ˈɡriːsər/
(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Mexican descent
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading LIFE IN THE PILOT-HOUSE.
and nothing more
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading LIFE IN THE PILOT-HOUSE.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
mockverbUS /mɑːk/
treat with contempt
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
PILOT-HOUSE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIFE IN THE PILOT-HOUSE.
pluming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
ranche
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
stumpnounUS /stʌmp/
the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
TexasnounUS /ˈteksəs/
the second largest state; located in southwestern United States on the Gulf of Mexico
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LIFE IN THE PILOT-HOUSE.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.
walksnounUS /wɔːks/
plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
at the time that
From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
which person or people
From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.
