used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The sound undoubtedly gave each member of the quartette a strange thrill.
(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 "All right," remarked Jack, composedly.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
bayingverbUS /ˈbeɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “bay” — utter in deep prolonged tones
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
belongingnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋ/
happiness felt in a secure relationship
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
composedlyadverb
in a self-collected or self-possessed manner
From this reading "All right," remarked Jack, composedly.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The sound undoubtedly gave each member of the quartette a strange thrill.
Erastus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "Great governor! they're going to pay us a visit!" exclaimed Nick, jumping up.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
fednounUS /fed/
any federal law-enforcement officer
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The sound undoubtedly gave each member of the quartette a strange thrill.
the act of departing
From this reading "Great governor! they're going to pay us a visit!" exclaimed Nick, jumping up.
the head of a state government
From this reading "Great governor! they're going to pay us a visit!" exclaimed Nick, jumping up.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "Great governor! they're going to pay us a visit!" exclaimed Nick, jumping up.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
a small worthless amount
From this reading "All right," remarked Jack, composedly.
jumpingnounUS /ˈdʒʌmpɪŋ/
the act of participating in an athletic competition in which you must jump
From this reading "Great governor! they're going to pay us a visit!" exclaimed Nick, jumping up.
hear with intention
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
man-hunters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading The sound undoubtedly gave each member of the quartette a strange thrill.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
NickverbUS /nɪk/
cut slightly, with a razor
From this reading "Great governor! they're going to pay us a visit!" exclaimed Nick, jumping up.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sound undoubtedly gave each member of the quartette a strange thrill.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading "Great governor! they're going to pay us a visit!" exclaimed Nick, jumping up.
by chance
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
POSSEnounUS /ˈpɑːsi/
a temporary police force
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S POSSE.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
quartettenoun
four performers or singers who perform together
From this reading The sound undoubtedly gave each member of the quartette a strange thrill.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "All right," remarked Jack, composedly.
precisely, exactly
From this reading "All right," remarked Jack, composedly.
Identical; not different.
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
sheriffnounUS /ˈʃerəf/
the principal law-enforcement officer in a county
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
SHERIFF'SnounUS /ˈʃerəfs/
possessive form of “sheriff” — the principal law-enforcement officer in a county
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S POSSE.
significantadjectiveUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
important in effect or meaning
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
and nothing more
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The sound undoubtedly gave each member of the quartette a strange thrill.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading The sound undoubtedly gave each member of the quartette a strange thrill.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S POSSE.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
they're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Great governor! they're going to pay us a visit!" exclaimed Nick, jumping up.
a special situation
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
thrillnounUS /θrɪl/
the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading The sound undoubtedly gave each member of the quartette a strange thrill.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading The sound undoubtedly gave each member of the quartette a strange thrill.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Great governor! they're going to pay us a visit!" exclaimed Nick, jumping up.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Great governor! they're going to pay us a visit!" exclaimed Nick, jumping up.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading "Great governor! they're going to pay us a visit!" exclaimed Nick, jumping up.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
look attentively
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
wretchnounUS /retʃ/
performs some wicked deed
From this reading It was one thing to simply hear the bark of an honest watch dog belonging to some farm in the country; and another to listen to those significant baying sounds which surely meant that the sheriff and his posse of man-hunters must be on the trail of some wretch, perhaps the same Erastus whom they had fed on the preceding night.
