adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
adjustedadjectiveUS /əˈdʒʌstɪd/
altered to accommodate to certain requirements or bring into a proper relation
From this reading Men have not yet adjusted their relations to morality and law with any niceness.
AmericannounUS /əˈmerəkən/
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
assertsverbUS /əˈsɜːrts/
third-person singular of “assert” — state categorically
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
bordersnounUS /ˈbɔːrdərz/
plural of “border” — a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
communitiesnounUS /kəˈmjuːnətiz/
plural of “community” — a group of people living in a particular local area
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
conditionsnounUS /kənˈdɪʃənz/
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course the transition periods are full of incongruities.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
earlieradverbUS /ˈɜːrliər/
earlier in time; previously
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
elementaladjectiveUS /ˌeləˈmentəl/
relating to or being an element
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
emotionsnounUS /ɪˈmoʊʃənz/
plural of “emotion” — any strong feeling
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
frontiernounUS /frənˈtɪr/
a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Of course the transition periods are full of incongruities.
generallyadverbUS /ˈdʒenərəli/
usually; as a rule
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
grimadjectiveUS /ɡrɪm/
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
growverbUS /ɡroʊ/
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
guardnounUS /ɡɑːrd/
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Men have not yet adjusted their relations to morality and law with any niceness.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
huntersnounUS /ˈhʌntərz/
plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
incongruities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the transition periods are full of incongruities.
individualadjectiveUS /ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒəwəl/
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
instinctnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
lawnounUS /lɔː/
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
livesnounUS /lɪvz/
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
MennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading Men have not yet adjusted their relations to morality and law with any niceness.
moralitynounUS /mərˈæləti/
concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct
From this reading Men have not yet adjusted their relations to morality and law with any niceness.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
mountainsnounUS /ˈmaʊntənz/
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
nicenessnounUS /ˈnaɪsnəs/
a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage
From this reading Men have not yet adjusted their relations to morality and law with any niceness.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Men have not yet adjusted their relations to morality and law with any niceness.
obligedadjectiveUS /əˈblaɪdʒd/
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
OutadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
passionsnounUS /ˈpæʃənz/
plural of “passion” — a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
periodsnounUS /ˈpɪriədz/
plural of “period” — an amount of time
From this reading Of course the transition periods are full of incongruities.
plainsnounUS /pleɪnz/
plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
rapiditynounUS /rəˈpɪdəti/
a rate that is rapid
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
reducedadjectiveUS /rəˈduːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
relationsnounUS /riˈleɪʃənz/
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading Men have not yet adjusted their relations to morality and law with any niceness.
rightsnounUS /raɪts/
plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
rough-riders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
settledadjectiveUS /ˈsetəld/
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
simpleradjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpələr/
comparative of “simple” — having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
societynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
soonadverbUS /suːn/
in the near future
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
spendverbUS /spend/
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
stagesnounUS /ˈsteɪdʒəz/
plural of “stage” — any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
statesnounUS /steɪts/
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
strangernounUS /ˈstreɪndʒər/
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
transitionnounUS /trænˈzɪʃən/
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Of course the transition periods are full of incongruities.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading The passions and emotions of these grim hunters of the mountains, and wild rough-riders of the plains, are simpler and stranger than those of people dwelling in more complicated states of society.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading Out on the frontier, and generally among those who spend their lives in, or on the borders of, the wilderness, life is reduced to its elemental conditions.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As soon as the communities become settled and begin to grow with any rapidity, the American instinct for law asserts itself; but in the earlier stages each individual is obliged to be a law to himself and to guard his rights with a strong hand.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Men have not yet adjusted their relations to morality and law with any niceness.
