used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Hathaway's home-ranch spread itself miles over an open valley on the upper Missouri.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
barbed-wires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
cattle-man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim Hathaway was an old-time cattle-man.
clingverbUS /klɪŋ/
come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
without stop or interruption
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
cotton-wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
cowboysnounUS /ˈkaʊbɔɪz/
plural of “cowboy” — a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
drovesnounUS /droʊvz/
plural of “drove” — a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
the organ of sight
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
enclose with a fence
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
HathawaynounUS /ˈhæθəweɪ/
wife of William Shakespeare (1556-1623)
From this reading Jim Hathaway was an old-time cattle-man.
Hathaway'snounUS /ˈhæθəweɪz/
possessive form of “hathaway” — wife of William Shakespeare (1556-1623)
From this reading Hathaway's home-ranch spread itself miles over an open valley on the upper Missouri.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
home-ranch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hathaway's home-ranch spread itself miles over an open valley on the upper Missouri.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Hathaway's home-ranch spread itself miles over an open valley on the upper Missouri.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim Hathaway was an old-time cattle-man.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Hathaway's home-ranch spread itself miles over an open valley on the upper Missouri.
MissourinounUS /məˈzʊri/
a midwestern state in central United States; a border state during the American Civil War, Missouri was admitted to the Confederacy without actually seceding from the Union
From this reading Hathaway's home-ranch spread itself miles over an open valley on the upper Missouri.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
old-timeadjective
attractively old-fashioned (but not necessarily authentic)
From this reading Jim Hathaway was an old-time cattle-man.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Hathaway's home-ranch spread itself miles over an open valley on the upper Missouri.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Hathaway's home-ranch spread itself miles over an open valley on the upper Missouri.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Hathaway's home-ranch spread itself miles over an open valley on the upper Missouri.
postsnounUS /poʊsts/
plural of “post” — the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
profitableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːfətəbəl/
yielding material gain or profit
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
profitsnounUS /ˈprɑːfɪts/
the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
rutsnounUS /rʌts/
plural of “rut” — a groove or furrow (especially one in soft earth caused by wheels)
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
transport commercially
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading Hathaway's home-ranch spread itself miles over an open valley on the upper Missouri.
steersnounUS /stɪrz/
plural of “steer” — an indication of potential opportunity
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
not in physical motion
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
TexasnounUS /ˈteksəs/
the second largest state; located in southwestern United States on the Gulf of Mexico
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hathaway's home-ranch spread itself miles over an open valley on the upper Missouri.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
the topmost one of two
From this reading Hathaway's home-ranch spread itself miles over an open valley on the upper Missouri.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Hathaway's home-ranch spread itself miles over an open valley on the upper Missouri.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Jim Hathaway was an old-time cattle-man.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading He still continued each summer to turn out upon the range great droves of Texas steers driven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading He must have known that this was so, for every year his profits became less, yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the old ruts, to cling to old habits.
but in spite of that
From this reading As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood posts, separated the ranch from the open country about.
