used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Life on the border had hit a dry spell for some unknown reason.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Not a ---- thing had happened, was happening or seemed about to happen.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Author of “Groody Among the Gushers,” “The Lone Raider,” etc.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
approximatelyadverbUS /əˈprɑːksəmətli/
(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
From this reading For approximately four months the border patrolmen, of which, at times, I had the honor to be one, were slowly dying of dry-rot.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For approximately four months the border patrolmen, of which, at times, I had the honor to be one, were slowly dying of dry-rot.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Author of “Groody Among the Gushers,” “The Lone Raider,” etc.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For approximately four months the border patrolmen, of which, at times, I had the honor to be one, were slowly dying of dry-rot.
bordernounUS /ˈbɔːrdər/
a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading Life on the border had hit a dry spell for some unknown reason.
BrownsvillenounUS /ˈbraʊnzvɪl/
a city in southern Texas on the Rio Grande near its mouth into the Gulf of Mexico; has a channel that accommodates oceangoing ships
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
bunchnounUS /bʌntʃ/
a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
customaryadjectiveUS /ˈkʌstəmeri/
in accordance with convention or custom
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
Diego
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
diversionsnounUS /dɪˈvɜːrʒənz/
plural of “diversion” — an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Life on the border had hit a dry spell for some unknown reason.
dry-rotverb
affect or be affected with dry rot
From this reading For approximately four months the border patrolmen, of which, at times, I had the honor to be one, were slowly dying of dry-rot.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading For approximately four months the border patrolmen, of which, at times, I had the honor to be one, were slowly dying of dry-rot.
eagernessnounUS /ˈiːɡərnəs/
a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
etc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of “Groody Among the Gushers,” “The Lone Raider,” etc.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Life on the border had hit a dry spell for some unknown reason.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading For approximately four months the border patrolmen, of which, at times, I had the honor to be one, were slowly dying of dry-rot.
friskyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɪski/
playful like a lively kitten
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
gallopedverbUS /ˈɡæləpt/
past form of “gallop” — ride at a galloping pace
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
Grande
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
Groody
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of “Groody Among the Gushers,” “The Lone Raider,” etc.
GushersnounUS /ˈɡʌʃərz/
plural of “gusher” — an oil well with a strong natural flow so that pumping is not necessary
From this reading Author of “Groody Among the Gushers,” “The Lone Raider,” etc.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Life on the border had hit a dry spell for some unknown reason.
come to pass
From this reading Not a ---- thing had happened, was happening or seemed about to happen.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Not a ---- thing had happened, was happening or seemed about to happen.
happeningnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋ/
an event that happens
From this reading Not a ---- thing had happened, was happening or seemed about to happen.
cause to move by striking
From this reading Life on the border had hit a dry spell for some unknown reason.
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading For approximately four months the border patrolmen, of which, at times, I had the honor to be one, were slowly dying of dry-rot.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading For approximately four months the border patrolmen, of which, at times, I had the honor to be one, were slowly dying of dry-rot.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
includingverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/
-ing form of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life on the border had hit a dry spell for some unknown reason.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
LoneadjectiveUS /loʊn/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading Author of “Groody Among the Gushers,” “The Lone Raider,” etc.
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading For approximately four months the border patrolmen, of which, at times, I had the honor to be one, were slowly dying of dry-rot.
mosquitoesnounUS /məˈskiːtoʊz/
plural of “mosquito” — two-winged insect whose female has a long proboscis to pierce the skin and suck the blood of humans and animals
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not a ---- thing had happened, was happening or seemed about to happen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Author of “Groody Among the Gushers,” “The Lone Raider,” etc.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Life on the border had hit a dry spell for some unknown reason.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For approximately four months the border patrolmen, of which, at times, I had the honor to be one, were slowly dying of dry-rot.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Not a ---- thing had happened, was happening or seemed about to happen.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
patrolmennounUS /pətroʊlˈmen/
plural of “patrolman” — a policeman who patrols a given region
From this reading For approximately four months the border patrolmen, of which, at times, I had the honor to be one, were slowly dying of dry-rot.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
RaidernounUS /ˈreɪdər/
someone who takes spoils or plunder (as in war)
From this reading Author of “Groody Among the Gushers,” “The Lone Raider,” etc.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Life on the border had hit a dry spell for some unknown reason.
renegadesnounUS /ˈrenəɡeɪdz/
plural of “renegade” — someone who rebels and becomes an outlaw
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
RionounUS /ˈriːoʊ/
the former capital and 2nd largest city of Brazil; chief Brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
rustlingnounUS /ˈrʌslɪŋ/
the stealing of cattle
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Not a ---- thing had happened, was happening or seemed about to happen.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading For approximately four months the border patrolmen, of which, at times, I had the honor to be one, were slowly dying of dry-rot.
smugglingnounUS /ˈsmʌɡlɪŋ/
secretly importing prohibited goods or goods on which duty is due
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Life on the border had hit a dry spell for some unknown reason.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading Life on the border had hit a dry spell for some unknown reason.
Spigs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
suckingnounUS /ˈsʌkɪŋ/
the act of sucking
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Author of “Groody Among the Gushers,” “The Lone Raider,” etc.
a special situation
From this reading Not a ---- thing had happened, was happening or seemed about to happen.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading For approximately four months the border patrolmen, of which, at times, I had the honor to be one, were slowly dying of dry-rot.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not a ---- thing had happened, was happening or seemed about to happen.
not known
From this reading Life on the border had hit a dry spell for some unknown reason.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Not a ---- thing had happened, was happening or seemed about to happen.
waystations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For approximately four months the border patrolmen, of which, at times, I had the honor to be one, were slowly dying of dry-rot.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For approximately four months the border patrolmen, of which, at times, I had the honor to be one, were slowly dying of dry-rot.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We galloped up and down the frisky Rio Grande from Brownsville to San Diego, including waystations, with our customary eagerness to spot something of interest in connection with smuggling, rustling and other diversions of the Spigs and American renegades, but we were like a bunch of mosquitoes sucking on a piece of marble.
