used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a general brightening and cleaning up about the place.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was a general brightening and cleaning up about the place.
accoutrementsnounUS /əˈkuːtərmənts/
plural of “accoutrement” — clothing that is worn or carried, but not part of your main clothing
From this reading Cowboys were industriously cleaning horses and polishing saddle accoutrements.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading WELCOME VISITORS Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
airedadjectiveUS /erd/
open to or abounding in fresh air
From this reading The ranch-house was being vigorously cleaned and aired.
(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 The reason for all this extra work was a telegram that Mason was reading for perhaps the hundredth time.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a general brightening and cleaning up about the place.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading WELCOME VISITORS Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading WELCOME VISITORS Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The ranch-house was being vigorously cleaned and aired.
brighteningverbUS /ˈbraɪtənɪŋ/
-ing form of “brighten” — make more cheerful through the use of color
From this reading There was a general brightening and cleaning up about the place.
cleanedverbUS /kliːnd/
past form of “clean” — make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from
From this reading The ranch-house was being vigorously cleaned and aired.
cleaningnounUS /ˈkliːnɪŋ/
the act of making something clean
From this reading There was a general brightening and cleaning up about the place.
CowboysnounUS /ˈkaʊbɔɪz/
plural of “cowboy” — a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback
From this reading Cowboys were industriously cleaning horses and polishing saddle accoutrements.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading WELCOME VISITORS Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading The reason for all this extra work was a telegram that Mason was reading for perhaps the hundredth time.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The reason for all this extra work was a telegram that Mason was reading for perhaps the hundredth time.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading There was a general brightening and cleaning up about the place.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Cowboys were industriously cleaning horses and polishing saddle accoutrements.
hundredthnounUS /ˈhʌndrədθ/
position 100 in a countable series of things
From this reading The reason for all this extra work was a telegram that Mason was reading for perhaps the hundredth time.
industriouslyadverb
in an industrious manner
From this reading Cowboys were industriously cleaning horses and polishing saddle accoutrements.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading WELCOME VISITORS Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
MasonnounUS /ˈmeɪsən/
American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)
From this reading The reason for all this extra work was a telegram that Mason was reading for perhaps the hundredth time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WELCOME VISITORS Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
by chance
From this reading The reason for all this extra work was a telegram that Mason was reading for perhaps the hundredth time.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading WELCOME VISITORS Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
polishingnounUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃɪŋ/
the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it
From this reading Cowboys were industriously cleaning horses and polishing saddle accoutrements.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading WELCOME VISITORS Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
ranch-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ranch-house was being vigorously cleaned and aired.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading The reason for all this extra work was a telegram that Mason was reading for perhaps the hundredth time.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading The reason for all this extra work was a telegram that Mason was reading for perhaps the hundredth time.
put a saddle on
From this reading Cowboys were industriously cleaning horses and polishing saddle accoutrements.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading WELCOME VISITORS Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
telegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading The reason for all this extra work was a telegram that Mason was reading for perhaps the hundredth time.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The reason for all this extra work was a telegram that Mason was reading for perhaps the hundredth time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a general brightening and cleaning up about the place.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a general brightening and cleaning up about the place.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The reason for all this extra work was a telegram that Mason was reading for perhaps the hundredth time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The reason for all this extra work was a telegram that Mason was reading for perhaps the hundredth time.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading WELCOME VISITORS Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading WELCOME VISITORS Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading WELCOME VISITORS Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading There was a general brightening and cleaning up about the place.
vigorouslyadverbUS /ˈvɪɡərəsli/
with vigor; in a vigorous manner
From this reading The ranch-house was being vigorously cleaned and aired.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading WELCOME VISITORS Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a general brightening and cleaning up about the place.
accept gladly
From this reading WELCOME VISITORS Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Cowboys were industriously cleaning horses and polishing saddle accoutrements.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The reason for all this extra work was a telegram that Mason was reading for perhaps the hundredth time.
XnounUS /eks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading WELCOME VISITORS Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
