used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
consider or hold as true
From this reading I was very glad to accept his offer.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading "Well, then, we'll just take a canter across the plain this afternoon.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading "Well, then, we'll just take a canter across the plain this afternoon.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
by-and-bynoun
an indefinite time in the future
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
canterverbUS /ˈkæntər/
ride at a canter
From this reading "Well, then, we'll just take a canter across the plain this afternoon.
cautioningverbUS /ˈkɔːʃənɪŋ/
-ing form of “caution” — warn strongly; put on guard
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
travel across or pass over
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
elephantnounUS /ˈeləfənt/
five-toed pachyderm
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
exertionnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃən/
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
fatiguenounUS /fəˈtiːɡ/
temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading I was very glad to accept his offer.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I was very glad to accept his offer.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
hour'snounUS /ˈaʊərz/
possessive form of “hour” — a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
and nothing more
From this reading "Well, then, we'll just take a canter across the plain this afternoon.
large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
engage in
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
musclesnounUS /ˈmʌsəlz/
plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading I was very glad to accept his offer.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
ownedadjectiveUS /oʊnd/
having an owner; often used in combination
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
panthernounUS /ˈpænθər/
a large spotted feline of tropical America similar to the leopard; in some classifications considered a member of the genus Felis
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
a course of conduct
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading "Well, then, we'll just take a canter across the plain this afternoon.
participate in games or sport
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
prosperousadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːspərəs/
in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
rhinocerosnounUS /raɪˈnɑːsərəs/
massive powerful herbivorous odd-toed ungulate of southeast Asia and Africa having very thick skin and one or two horns on the snout
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
ridernounUS /ˈraɪdər/
a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
StanleynounUS /ˈstænli/
United States inventor who built a steam-powered automobile (1849-1918)
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
carry out
From this reading "Well, then, we'll just take a canter across the plain this afternoon.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Well, then, we'll just take a canter across the plain this afternoon.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Well, then, we'll just take a canter across the plain this afternoon.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
tireverbUS /ˈtaɪər/
lose interest or become bored with something or somebody
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
in the direction of
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
precisely as stated
From this reading I was very glad to accept his offer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
we'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, then, we'll just take a canter across the plain this afternoon.
(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, then, we'll just take a canter across the plain this afternoon.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
in the company of; together with
From this reading After dinner, with our rifles at our backs--to be ready for any lion, panther, elephant, or rhinoceros which might cross our path--we set out for an hour's ride towards the south, Stanley cautioning us not to go far and fatigue the horses.
a late time of life
From this reading I confessed that some years had passed since I had mounted a horse, though in my father's prosperous days I had owned one, and was then a fair rider.
you'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading It will not tire the horses, and it will help to get your muscles into play for the exertion you'll have to make by-and-by," he said.
