used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For six weeks their indignation had been growing, and the mystery seemed no nearer a solution.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
(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 Of all the wrathful settlers the most furious was Brace Timmins.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The settlers around the skirts of Lost Mountain were puzzled and indignant.
any thing at all
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The settlers around the skirts of Lost Mountain were puzzled and indignant.
backwoodsnounUS /ˈbæˈkwʊdz/
a remote and undeveloped area
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
for the reason that
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For six weeks their indignation had been growing, and the mystery seemed no nearer a solution.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
BraceverbUS /breɪs/
prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
From this reading Of all the wrathful settlers the most furious was Brace Timmins.
broodingnounUS /ˈbruːdɪŋ/
sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Something was slaughtering their sheep--something that knew its business and slaughtered with dreadful efficiency.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Something was slaughtering their sheep--something that knew its business and slaughtered with dreadful efficiency.
efficiencynounUS /ɪˈfɪʃənsi/
the ratio of the output to the input of any system
From this reading Something was slaughtering their sheep--something that knew its business and slaughtered with dreadful efficiency.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
flimsiestadjectiveUS /ˈflɪmziəst/
superlative of “flimsy” — lacking solidity or strength
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For six weeks their indignation had been growing, and the mystery seemed no nearer a solution.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading Of all the wrathful settlers the most furious was Brace Timmins.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading For six weeks their indignation had been growing, and the mystery seemed no nearer a solution.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For six weeks their indignation had been growing, and the mystery seemed no nearer a solution.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
indignantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnənt/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading The settlers around the skirts of Lost Mountain were puzzled and indignant.
a feeling of righteous anger
From this reading For six weeks their indignation had been growing, and the mystery seemed no nearer a solution.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Something was slaughtering their sheep--something that knew its business and slaughtered with dreadful efficiency.
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Something was slaughtering their sheep--something that knew its business and slaughtered with dreadful efficiency.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading The settlers around the skirts of Lost Mountain were puzzled and indignant.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Of all the wrathful settlers the most furious was Brace Timmins.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The settlers around the skirts of Lost Mountain were puzzled and indignant.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading For six weeks their indignation had been growing, and the mystery seemed no nearer a solution.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading For six weeks their indignation had been growing, and the mystery seemed no nearer a solution.
not any; not one
From this reading For six weeks their indignation had been growing, and the mystery seemed no nearer a solution.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The settlers around the skirts of Lost Mountain were puzzled and indignant.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading The settlers around the skirts of Lost Mountain were puzzled and indignant.
reputationsnounUS /ˌrepjəˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “reputation” — the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For six weeks their indignation had been growing, and the mystery seemed no nearer a solution.
settlersnounUS /ˈsetlərz/
plural of “settler” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country
From this reading The settlers around the skirts of Lost Mountain were puzzled and indignant.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading Something was slaughtering their sheep--something that knew its business and slaughtered with dreadful efficiency.
and nothing more
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading For six weeks their indignation had been growing, and the mystery seemed no nearer a solution.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading The settlers around the skirts of Lost Mountain were puzzled and indignant.
slaughteredverbUS /ˈslɔːtərd/
past form of “slaughter” — kill (animals) usually for food consumption
From this reading Something was slaughtering their sheep--something that knew its business and slaughtered with dreadful efficiency.
slaughteringverbUS /ˈslɔːtərɪŋ/
-ing form of “slaughter” — kill (animals) usually for food consumption
From this reading Something was slaughtering their sheep--something that knew its business and slaughtered with dreadful efficiency.
solutionnounUS /səˈluːʃən/
a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution
From this reading For six weeks their indignation had been growing, and the mystery seemed no nearer a solution.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something was slaughtering their sheep--something that knew its business and slaughtered with dreadful efficiency.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Something was slaughtering their sheep--something that knew its business and slaughtered with dreadful efficiency.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The settlers around the skirts of Lost Mountain were puzzled and indignant.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading For six weeks their indignation had been growing, and the mystery seemed no nearer a solution.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
Timmins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of all the wrathful settlers the most furious was Brace Timmins.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Something was slaughtering their sheep--something that knew its business and slaughtered with dreadful efficiency.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading For six weeks their indignation had been growing, and the mystery seemed no nearer a solution.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The settlers around the skirts of Lost Mountain were puzzled and indignant.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
at the time that
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Several honest dogs fell under suspicion, not because there was anything whatever against their reputations, but simply because they had the misfortune to be big enough and strong enough to kill a sheep if they wanted to, and the brooding backwoods mind, when troubled, will go far on the flimsiest evidence.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Something was slaughtering their sheep--something that knew its business and slaughtered with dreadful efficiency.
wrathfuladjective
vehemently incensed and condemnatory
From this reading Of all the wrathful settlers the most furious was Brace Timmins.
