Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

later than; following

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

anew

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Consequently he approached all suspicious places with more than his usual caution.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

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

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

quick to understand

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading Consequently he approached all suspicious places with more than his usual caution.

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

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading But as he covered mile after mile and nothing happened, he became easier in his mind.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger

From this reading Consequently he approached all suspicious places with more than his usual caution.

teach and supervise (someone); act as a trainer or coach (to), as in sports

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading Consequently he approached all suspicious places with more than his usual caution.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading "Though they might hold me up, more easily than they could a coach if they wanted to," reflected Jack.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading But as he covered mile after mile and nothing happened, he became easier in his mind.

traveling across

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading But as he covered mile after mile and nothing happened, he became easier in his mind.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading "Though they might hold me up, more easily than they could a coach if they wanted to," reflected Jack.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

encouraging or approving or pleasing

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

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

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading But as he covered mile after mile and nothing happened, he became easier in his mind.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

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

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

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

From this reading Consequently he approached all suspicious places with more than his usual caution.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading "Though they might hold me up, more easily than they could a coach if they wanted to," reflected Jack.

the act of retaining something

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Though they might hold me up, more easily than they could a coach if they wanted to," reflected Jack.

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

From this reading But as he covered mile after mile and nothing happened, he became easier in his mind.

a small worthless amount

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

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

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

the literary culture

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

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

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Though they might hold me up, more easily than they could a coach if they wanted to," reflected Jack.

the force of workers available

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "Though they might hold me up, more easily than they could a coach if they wanted to," reflected Jack.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading But as he covered mile after mile and nothing happened, he became easier in his mind.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading But as he covered mile after mile and nothing happened, he became easier in his mind.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading "Though they might hold me up, more easily than they could a coach if they wanted to," reflected Jack.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

as might be expected

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading But as he covered mile after mile and nothing happened, he became easier in his mind.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back

From this reading "Though they might hold me up, more easily than they could a coach if they wanted to," reflected Jack.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

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

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

an established line of travel or access

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

established irrevocably

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

openly distrustful and unwilling to confide

From this reading Consequently he approached all suspicious places with more than his usual caution.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "Though they might hold me up, more easily than they could a coach if they wanted to," reflected Jack.

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

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Though they might hold me up, more easily than they could a coach if they wanted to," reflected Jack.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "Though they might hold me up, more easily than they could a coach if they wanted to," reflected Jack.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

in the direction of

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

travel across or pass over

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

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

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading Consequently he approached all suspicious places with more than his usual caution.

a conveyance that transports people or objects

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

precisely as stated

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading "Though they might hold me up, more easily than they could a coach if they wanted to," reflected Jack.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There were several places very favorable for holding up a stage coach, had one used the mountain road, but, as has been said, the route was too difficult for a vehicle to traverse.

which person or people

From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK Naturally, after the little experience of the morning, having received the sealed letters, and having again seen the two men who had acted so roughly toward Jennie, Jack was a little apprehensive as he rode along the trail toward Golden Crossing.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Consequently he approached all suspicious places with more than his usual caution.