used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
anew
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
brieflyadverbUS /ˈbriːfli/
for a short time
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
captivitynounUS /kæpˈtɪvəti/
the state of being imprisoned
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
corralverbUS /kərˈæl/
enclose in a corral
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
corrals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
dodgedverbUS /dɑːdʒd/
past form of “dodge” — make a sudden movement in a new direction so as to avoid
From this reading With a flick of heels, a last surge of upflung dust, they dodged inside.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
remove the dust from
From this reading With a flick of heels, a last surge of upflung dust, they dodged inside.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
enclose with a fence
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
flickverbUS /flɪk/
flash intermittently
From this reading With a flick of heels, a last surge of upflung dust, they dodged inside.
flurrynounUS /ˈflɜːri/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
formationnounUS /fɔːrˈmeɪʃən/
an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
formingverbUS /ˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
gallopedverbUS /ˈɡæləpt/
past form of “gallop” — ride at a galloping pace
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
gnawedverbUS /nɔːd/
past form of “gnaw” — bite or chew on with the teeth
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
hatedadjectiveUS /ˈheɪtəd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading With a flick of heels, a last surge of upflung dust, they dodged inside.
herdnounUS /hɜːrd/
a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
hookverbUS /hʊk/
fasten with a hook
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
hurtled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
implacableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈplækəbəl/
incapable of being placated
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
and nothing more
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
immediately past
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
leadersnounUS /ˈliːdərz/
the body of people who lead a group
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
linkverbUS /lɪŋk/
make a logical or causal connection
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
MeadowlarknounUS /ˈmedoʊlɑːrk/
North American songbirds having a yellow breast
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
milledadjectiveUS /mɪld/
(of grains especially rice) having the husk or outer layers removed
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
periodsnounUS /ˈpɪriədz/
plural of “period” — an amount of time
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
precipitousadjectiveUS /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/
done with very great haste and without due deliberation
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
ratsnounUS /ræts/
plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
rattledadjectiveUS /ˈrætəld/
thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
ridersnounUS /ˈraɪdərz/
plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/
plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
slammedverbUS /slæmd/
inflected form of “slam” — close violently
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
slantedadjectiveUS /ˈslæntɪd/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
surgeverbUS /sɜːrdʒ/
rise and move, as in waves or billows
From this reading With a flick of heels, a last surge of upflung dust, they dodged inside.
swervedverbUS /swɜːrvd/
past form of “swerve” — turn sharply; change direction abruptly
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
temptingadjectiveUS /ˈtemptɪŋ/
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
thunderedverbUS /ˈθʌndərd/
past form of “thunder” — move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
upflung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a flick of heels, a last surge of upflung dust, they dodged inside.
precisely as stated
From this reading The herd galloped in mass formation to the very gate before they realized that here they faced another one of those hated periods of captivity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The big gate slammed shut behind them and the chain was pulled around the great post that looked as though rats had gnawed it just there--the hook rattled into a heavy link and that particular horse deal was completed.
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading They swerved toward the bluff, hurtled back along it and met the implacable Meadowlark riders; milled briefly and thundered again down the throat of the wings toward the corral.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With a last flurry of hard riding and hoarse shouts, the leaders swung away from the tempting meadows and inside the wing fence that slanted down from the corrals to the road, the precipitous bluff forming the other barrier.
