used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SHOT FROM AMBUSH From the valley there drifted up a breeze-swept sound.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
using the voice; not silently
From this reading "Looks like something's broke loose," the young man drawled aloud.
AMBUSHverbUS /ˈæmbʊʃ/
wait in hiding to attack
From this reading A SHOT FROM AMBUSH From the valley there drifted up a breeze-swept sound.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
attitudesnounUS /ˈætətuːdz/
plural of “attitude” — a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
balloon-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
breeze-swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SHOT FROM AMBUSH From the valley there drifted up a breeze-swept sound.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
lacking funds
From this reading "Looks like something's broke loose," the young man drawled aloud.
bunchnounUS /bʌntʃ/
a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
clamberedverbUS /ˈklæmbərd/
past form of “clamber” — climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
drawledverbUS /drɔːld/
past form of “drawl” — lengthen and slow down or draw out
From this reading "Looks like something's broke loose," the young man drawled aloud.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading A SHOT FROM AMBUSH From the valley there drifted up a breeze-swept sound.
dwarfedverbUS /dwɔːrft/
past form of “dwarf” — make appear small by comparison
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
firecrackersnounUS /ˈfaɪərkrækərz/
plural of “firecracker” — firework consisting of a small explosive charge and fuse in a heavy paper casing
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A SHOT FROM AMBUSH From the valley there drifted up a breeze-swept sound.
habitualadjectiveUS /həˈbɪtʃuːəl/
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
not accessible to view
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
horsebacknounUS /ˈhɔːrsbæk/
the back of a horse
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
horsemannounUS /ˈhɔːrsmən/
a man skilled in equitation
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading "Looks like something's broke loose," the young man drawled aloud.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading "Looks like something's broke loose," the young man drawled aloud.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "Looks like something's broke loose," the young man drawled aloud.
the force of workers available
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
mesquitenounUS /ˈmeskiːt/
any of several small spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Prosopis having small flowers in axillary cylindrical spikes followed by large pods rich in sugar
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
poppingnounUS /ˈpɑːpɪŋ/
a sharp explosive sound as from a gunshot or drawing a cork
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
in the near future
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
puffsnounUS /pʌfs/
plural of “puff” — a short light gust of air
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
pygmynounUS /ˈpɪɡmi/
an unusually small individual
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
ridernounUS /ˈraɪdər/
a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
rock-rim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
move by turning over or rotating
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
put a saddle on
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading A SHOT FROM AMBUSH From the valley there drifted up a breeze-swept sound.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
a person, without saying who
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
something's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Looks like something's broke loose," the young man drawled aloud.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading A SHOT FROM AMBUSH From the valley there drifted up a breeze-swept sound.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SHOT FROM AMBUSH From the valley there drifted up a breeze-swept sound.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A SHOT FROM AMBUSH From the valley there drifted up a breeze-swept sound.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading Men on horseback, dwarfed by distance to pygmy size, clambered to the bank--now one and then another firing into the mesquite that ran like a broad tongue from the roll of hills into the valley.
having come into contact
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading The rider on the rock-rim trail above, shifting in his saddle to one of the easy, careless attitudes of the habitual horseman, recognized it as a rifle shot.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A SHOT FROM AMBUSH From the valley there drifted up a breeze-swept sound.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading A SHOT FROM AMBUSH From the valley there drifted up a breeze-swept sound.
washverbUS /wɑːʃ/
clean with some chemical process
From this reading Presently, from a hidden wash rose little balloon-like puffs of smoke, followed by a faint, far popping, as if somebody had touched off a bunch of firecrackers.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "Looks like something's broke loose," the young man drawled aloud.
