used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
maintain with or as if with a bet
From this reading "I'll bet that's the evening train," declared Frank.
ColenounUS /koʊl/
a hardy cabbage with coarse curly leaves that do not form a head
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
made known or openly avowed
From this reading "I'll bet that's the evening train," declared Frank.
DecliningverbUS /dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “decline” — grow worse
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "Let's go down to the station.
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading "I'll bet that's the evening train," declared Frank.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading "I'll bet that's the evening train," declared Frank.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Let's go down to the station.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'll bet that's the evening train," declared Frank.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
invitationsnounUS /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “invitation” — a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
Let's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Let's go down to the station.
loanedverbUS /loʊnd/
past form of “loan” — give temporarily; let have for a limited time
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
the force of workers available
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
mixverbUS /mɪks/
mix together different elements
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
outlawsnounUS /ˈaʊtlɔːz/
plural of “outlaw” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
poniesnounUS /ˈpoʊniz/
plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
the display of a motion picture
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
in the near future
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading "Let's go down to the station.
tarryverbUS /ˈteri/
be about
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
tentsnounUS /tents/
plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
TexasnounUS /ˈteksəs/
the second largest state; located in southwestern United States on the Gulf of Mexico
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'll bet that's the evening train," declared Frank.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
create by training and teaching
From this reading "I'll bet that's the evening train," declared Frank.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Cole and Texas ought to be showing up soon and if they should, it might mix things up badly if they started to ask questions in order to find us."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
at the time that
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
which person or people
From this reading Declining the invitations to tarry a while of the men who had loaned them their ponies, the outlaws were returning to their tents when they heard the whistle of an engine.
WITSnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS.
