used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
to or in a foreign country
From this reading Few people were abroad; good citizens had retired to their homes, and the other half was amusing itself.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading Few people were abroad; good citizens had retired to their homes, and the other half was amusing itself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
balancedadjectiveUS /ˈbælənst/
being in a state of proper equilibrium
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
bravadonounUS /brəˈvɑːdoʊ/
a swaggering show of courage
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
BURSTSnounUS /bɜːrsts/
plural of “burst” — the act of exploding or bursting
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
citizensnounUS /ˈsɪtəzənz/
plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
From this reading Few people were abroad; good citizens had retired to their homes, and the other half was amusing itself.
CrawlingnounUS /ˈkrɔːlɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
drinkersnounUS /ˈdrɪŋkərz/
plural of “drinker” — a person who drinks liquids
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
drunkenadjectiveUS /ˈdrʌŋkən/
given to or marked by the consumption of alcohol
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Few people were abroad; good citizens had retired to their homes, and the other half was amusing itself.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
gamblingnounUS /ˈɡæmbəlɪŋ/
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
garbnounUS /ɡɑːrb/
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
glimpsedverbUS /ɡlɪmpst/
past form of “glimpse” — catch a glimpse of or see briefly
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Few people were abroad; good citizens had retired to their homes, and the other half was amusing itself.
grimlyadverbUS /ˈɡrɪmli/
in a grim implacable manner
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Few people were abroad; good citizens had retired to their homes, and the other half was amusing itself.
hangers-on
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
homesnounUS /hoʊmz/
plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time
From this reading Few people were abroad; good citizens had retired to their homes, and the other half was amusing itself.
horsemennounUS /ˈhɔːrsmən/
plural of “horseman” — a man skilled in equitation
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
ten 10s
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Few people were abroad; good citizens had retired to their homes, and the other half was amusing itself.
jointsnounUS /dʒɔɪnts/
plural of “joint” — (anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion)
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
most important element
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
the force of workers available
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
being perceived or observed
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
oathsnounUS /oʊðz/
plural of “oath” — profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Few people were abroad; good citizens had retired to their homes, and the other half was amusing itself.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Few people were abroad; good citizens had retired to their homes, and the other half was amusing itself.
playersnounUS /ˈpleɪərz/
plural of “player” — a person who participates in or is skilled at some game
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
pommelverbUS /ˈpɑːməl/
strike, usually with the fist
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
range-rider
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading Few people were abroad; good citizens had retired to their homes, and the other half was amusing itself.
RibaldnounUS /ˈraɪbɑːld/
a ribald person; someone who uses vulgar and offensive language
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
put a saddle on
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
saloonsnounUS /səˈluːnz/
plural of “saloon” — a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
without speaking
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
six-shooternoun
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
sportnounUS /spɔːrt/
an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
swingverbUS /swɪŋ/
move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Few people were abroad; good citizens had retired to their homes, and the other half was amusing itself.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Few people were abroad; good citizens had retired to their homes, and the other half was amusing itself.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
troopnounUS /truːp/
a group of soldiers
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
vigilantesnounUS /ˌvɪdʒəˈlæntiz/
plural of “vigilante” — member of a vigilance committee
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Few people were abroad; good citizens had retired to their homes, and the other half was amusing itself.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
at the time that
From this reading THE STORM BURSTS The vigilantes had entered Crawling Water at about ten o'clock, when the saloons and gambling joints were in full swing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So it was, at first, that few noticed the troop of horsemen which swung in at one end of the town, to ride slowly and silently down the main street.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Each of the hundred men in the troop carried a rifle balanced across his saddle pommel; each was dressed in the garb of the range-rider; and the face of each, glimpsed by the light from some window or doorway, was grimly stern.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ribald songs and oaths from the players, drinkers, and hangers-on floated into the street, with now and then the bark of a six-shooter telling of drunken sport or bravado.
