used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
anew
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
the first light of day
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
destinynounUS /ˈdestəni/
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
detachverbUS /ˈdɪtætʃ/
cause to become detached or separated; take off
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
headquartersnounUS /ˈhedkwɔːrtərz/
(usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
irritatingadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtɪŋ/
causing irritation or annoyance
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
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 HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
lurenounUS /lʊr/
qualities that attract by seeming to promise some kind of reward
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
mortgagedadjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrɡɪdʒd/
burdened with legal or financial obligations
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
the middle of the day
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
offeringnounUS /ˈɔːfərɪŋ/
something offered (as a proposal or bid)
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
on one occasion
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
outfitnounUS /ˈaʊtfɪt/
any cohesive unit such as a military company
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
PACKARD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
PertadjectiveUS /pɜːrt/
characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
promisesnounUS /ˈprɑːməsəz/
plural of “promise” — a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
RanchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
riddenverbUS /ˈrɪdən/
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
searchingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
STEVE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
not in physical motion
From this reading But, once out in the still dawn, he rode slowly.
straightwayadverb
at once
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
temptingadjectiveUS /ˈtemptɪŋ/
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
TerrynounUS /ˈteri/
English actress (1847-1928)
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
at the time that
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His mind, when he could detach it from that irritating Terry Pert, was given over to a searching consideration of those conditions which were beginning to dawn on him.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was clear that his destiny was offering him a new trail to blaze, one which drew him on with its lure, tempting him with its vague promises.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading HOW STEVE PACKARD CAME HOME Had Steve Packard ridden straightway back to Ranch Number Ten he would have arrived at the ranch headquarters long before noon.
but in spite of that
From this reading There was nothing to cause surprise in the fact that the ranch was his to have and to hold if he had the skill and the will for the job; nor yet in the other fact that the outfit was mortgaged to his grandfather; nor, again, was it to be wondered at that the old man was already acting as actual owner.
