used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Not a war party!” said Kit Carson, as he eyed the horde keenly.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
adriftadjectiveUS /əˈdrɪft/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
advancingadjectiveUS /ədˈvænsɪŋ/
moving forward
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
ain't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Not a war party!” said Kit Carson, as he eyed the horde keenly.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
bravesnounUS /breɪvz/
plural of “brave” — a North American Indian warrior
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
CarsonnounUS /ˈkɑːrsən/
United States biologist remembered for her opposition to the use of pesticides that were hazardous to wildlife (1907-1964)
From this reading “Not a war party!” said Kit Carson, as he eyed the horde keenly.
cat-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
COLORADOnounUS /ˌkɑːlərˈɑːdoʊ/
a state in west central United States in the Rocky Mountains
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a flag that shows its nationality
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
divisible by two
From this reading Sometimes even worse has happened.”
eyedadjectiveUS /aɪd/
having an eye or eyes or eyelike feature especially as specified; often used in combination
From this reading “Not a war party!” said Kit Carson, as he eyed the horde keenly.
featheredadjectiveUS /ˈfeðərd/
adorned with feathers or plumes
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
gailyadverbUS /ˈɡeɪli/
in a gay manner
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
grimlyadverbUS /ˈɡrɪmli/
in a grim implacable manner
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
come to pass
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Sometimes even worse has happened.”
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sometimes even worse has happened.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Not a war party!” said Kit Carson, as he eyed the horde keenly.
head-dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
hordenounUS /hɔːrd/
a vast multitude
From this reading “Not a war party!” said Kit Carson, as he eyed the horde keenly.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
keenlyadverbUS /ˈkiːnli/
in a keen or penetrating way
From this reading “Not a war party!” said Kit Carson, as he eyed the horde keenly.
KitnounUS /kɪt/
a case for containing a set of articles
From this reading “Not a war party!” said Kit Carson, as he eyed the horde keenly.
lances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
leapsnounUS /liːps/
plural of “leap” — a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
litheadjectiveUS /laɪð/
gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
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 WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
engage in
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
MexicansnounUS /ˈmeksɪkənz/
plural of “mexican” — a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Not a war party!” said Kit Carson, as he eyed the horde keenly.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading “Not a war party!” said Kit Carson, as he eyed the horde keenly.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
poniesnounUS /ˈpoʊniz/
plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
primingnounUS /ˈpraɪmɪŋ/
the act of making something ready
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Not a war party!” said Kit Carson, as he eyed the horde keenly.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Sometimes even worse has happened.”
streamersnounUS /ˈstriːmərz/
plural of “streamer” — light that streams
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
there'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
unarmedadjectiveUS /əˈnɑːrmd/
(used of persons or the military) not having or using arms
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
the act of using
From this reading “But that makes little difference in this country; they use the Mexicans they come upon much as they please--rob them--make them prisoners, or turn them adrift unarmed.
VERSUS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading “Not a war party!” said Kit Carson, as he eyed the horde keenly.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
a Caucasian
From this reading WHITE VERSUS RED ON THE COLORADO The feathered head-dress of many colors waved gaily above the advancing braves; the streamers of their long lances danced in the breeze; their lithe ponies covered the ground in cat-like leaps.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading Sometimes even worse has happened.”
Zeke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well,” said old Zeke, grimly, as he looked to the priming of his rifle, “we ain’t Mexicans, and I reckon there’ll be nothing like that happen here.”
