used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
assistedadjectiveUS /əˈsɪstɪd/
having help; often used as a combining form
From this reading In this quest Jerry was assisted by Pete Hoskings, who knew of several men who would be ready to dispose of their rifles.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A gun that has got the name of being a good weapon will fetch four times as much as a new one."
blanketsnounUS /ˈblæŋkəts/
plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
buffalonounUS /ˈbʌfəloʊ/
large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In this quest Jerry was assisted by Pete Hoskings, who knew of several men who would be ready to dispose of their rifles.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
ColtnounUS /koʊlt/
a young male horse under the age of four
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
Colt'snounUS /koʊlts/
possessive form of “colt” — a young male horse under the age of four
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
DenvernounUS /ˈdenvər/
the state capital and largest city of Colorado; located in central Colorado on the South Platte river
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
dependverbUS /dɪˈpend/
be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
disposeverbUS /dɪˈspoʊz/
give, sell, or transfer to another
From this reading In this quest Jerry was assisted by Pete Hoskings, who knew of several men who would be ready to dispose of their rifles.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
go or come after and bring or take back
From this reading A gun that has got the name of being a good weapon will fetch four times as much as a new one."
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading A gun that has got the name of being a good weapon will fetch four times as much as a new one."
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading A gun that has got the name of being a good weapon will fetch four times as much as a new one."
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading A gun that has got the name of being a good weapon will fetch four times as much as a new one."
gunsmith's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A gun that has got the name of being a good weapon will fetch four times as much as a new one."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
Hoskings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this quest Jerry was assisted by Pete Hoskings, who knew of several men who would be ready to dispose of their rifles.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
JerrynounUS /ˈdʒeri/
offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading In this quest Jerry was assisted by Pete Hoskings, who knew of several men who would be ready to dispose of their rifles.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading In this quest Jerry was assisted by Pete Hoskings, who knew of several men who would be ready to dispose of their rifles.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
the force of workers available
From this reading In this quest Jerry was assisted by Pete Hoskings, who knew of several men who would be ready to dispose of their rifles.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
minernounUS /ˈmaɪnər/
laborer who works in a mine
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading A gun that has got the name of being a good weapon will fetch four times as much as a new one."
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A gun that has got the name of being a good weapon will fetch four times as much as a new one."
not any; not one
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
held or filled or in use
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
many times at short intervals
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A gun that has got the name of being a good weapon will fetch four times as much as a new one."
Pete
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this quest Jerry was assisted by Pete Hoskings, who knew of several men who would be ready to dispose of their rifles.
pistolsnounUS /ˈpɪstəlz/
plural of “pistol” — a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
PLAINSnounUS /pleɪnz/
plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
purchasenounUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəs/
the acquisition of something for payment
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
questnounUS /kwest/
a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
From this reading In this quest Jerry was assisted by Pete Hoskings, who knew of several men who would be ready to dispose of their rifles.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading In this quest Jerry was assisted by Pete Hoskings, who knew of several men who would be ready to dispose of their rifles.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
relyverbUS /rɪˈlaɪ/
have faith or confidence in
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
robenounUS /roʊb/
any loose flowing garment
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading In this quest Jerry was assisted by Pete Hoskings, who knew of several men who would be ready to dispose of their rifles.
shooting-iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
do one's shopping
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
disposed of to a purchaser
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
successive (without a break)
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A gun that has got the name of being a good weapon will fetch four times as much as a new one."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In this quest Jerry was assisted by Pete Hoskings, who knew of several men who would be ready to dispose of their rifles.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this quest Jerry was assisted by Pete Hoskings, who knew of several men who would be ready to dispose of their rifles.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading A gun that has got the name of being a good weapon will fetch four times as much as a new one."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ON THE PLAINS The purchase of a buffalo robe, blankets, boots, and a Colt's revolver occupied but a short time, but the rifle was a much more difficult matter.
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading A gun that has got the name of being a good weapon will fetch four times as much as a new one."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Denver was but a small place; there was no regular gunsmith's shop, but rifles and pistols were sold at almost every store in the town.
which person or people
From this reading In this quest Jerry was assisted by Pete Hoskings, who knew of several men who would be ready to dispose of their rifles.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading A gun that has got the name of being a good weapon will fetch four times as much as a new one."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In this quest Jerry was assisted by Pete Hoskings, who knew of several men who would be ready to dispose of their rifles.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You can always rely upon a Colt," the miner said, "but rifles are different things; and as your life may often depend upon your shooting-iron carrying straight, you have got to be mighty careful about it.
