Chapter I

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading A small buck, which this unerring weapon of the hunter had lately brought down, lay across his saddle bow.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

a remote and undeveloped area

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading A small buck, which this unerring weapon of the hunter had lately brought down, lay across his saddle bow.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

(of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading A small buck, which this unerring weapon of the hunter had lately brought down, lay across his saddle bow.

to strive with determination

From this reading A small buck, which this unerring weapon of the hunter had lately brought down, lay across his saddle bow.

the area of the states of North Carolina and South Carolina

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A small buck, which this unerring weapon of the hunter had lately brought down, lay across his saddle bow.

remove the dust from

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

king of Northumbria who was converted to Christianity (585-633)

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Horsemen,” he told himself.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading A small buck, which this unerring weapon of the hunter had lately brought down, lay across his saddle bow.

plural of “horseman” — a man skilled in equitation

From this reading “Horsemen,” he told himself.

someone who hunts game

From this reading A small buck, which this unerring weapon of the hunter had lately brought down, lay across his saddle bow.

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Two of them, I reckon, judging from the dust.”

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

the cognitive process of reaching a decision or drawing conclusions

From this reading “Two of them, I reckon, judging from the dust.”

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

in the recent past

From this reading A small buck, which this unerring weapon of the hunter had lately brought down, lay across his saddle bow.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A small buck, which this unerring weapon of the hunter had lately brought down, lay across his saddle bow.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

plural of “moccasin” — soft leather shoe; originally worn by Native Americans

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading “Two of them, I reckon, judging from the dust.”

firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

steal goods; take as spoils

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

put a saddle on

From this reading A small buck, which this unerring weapon of the hunter had lately brought down, lay across his saddle bow.

in an aggressive manner

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

a garment worn on the upper half of the body

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

(of meat) full of sinews; especially impossible to chew

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A small buck, which this unerring weapon of the hunter had lately brought down, lay across his saddle bow.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “Two of them, I reckon, judging from the dust.”

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A small buck, which this unerring weapon of the hunter had lately brought down, lay across his saddle bow.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading “Horsemen,” he told himself.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading “Two of them, I reckon, judging from the dust.”

not liable to error

From this reading A small buck, which this unerring weapon of the hunter had lately brought down, lay across his saddle bow.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading A small buck, which this unerring weapon of the hunter had lately brought down, lay across his saddle bow.

in or at the place that

From this reading Away along the trail, at a place where the river bent sharply, a cloud of dust arose in the trail; and as the hunter rode forward he kept his keen eyes upon this.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ralph L. Boyer and A. Edwin Kromer Along the trail which wound along the banks of the Yadkin, in North Carolina, rode a tall, sinewy man; he had a bronzed, resolute face, wore the hunting shirt, leggins and moccasins of the backwoods, and had hanging from one shoulder a long flint-locked rifle.