used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.
alarmingadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːrmɪŋ/
frightening because of an awareness of danger
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
announcementnounUS /əˈnaʊnsmənt/
a formal public statement
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
move towards
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
BecknounUS /bek/
a beckoning gesture
From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
blazingadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
placed in a grave
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
CAMP-FIRE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
camp-fires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
put or send forth
From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.
cavalrynounUS /ˈkævəlri/
troops trained to fight on horseback
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.
detachmentnounUS /dɪˈtætʃmənt/
avoiding emotional involvement
From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
an opposing military force
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.
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 The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
information about recent and important events
From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.
not any; not one
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
RangersnounUS /ˈreɪndʒərz/
plural of “ranger” — a member of the Texas state highway patrol; formerly a mounted lawman who maintained order on the frontier
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
on the contrary
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
move by turning over or rotating
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
salutedverbUS /səˈluːtɪd/
past form of “salute” — propose a toast to
From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.
scoutnounUS /skaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.
scoutsnounUS /skaʊts/
plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
TexannounUS /ˈteksən/
a native or resident of Texas
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
in or at that place or location
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
the upper part of anything
From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.
troopernounUS /ˈtruːpər/
a soldier in a motorized army unit
From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.
(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, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.
at the time that
From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.
