used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading It was scarcely three feet wide, and above and below it the wall was for practical purposes perpendicular.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
ApachesnounUS /əˈpætʃiz/
plural of “apache” — any member of Athapaskan tribes that migrated to the southwestern desert (from Arizona to Texas and south into Mexico); fought a losing battle from 1861 to 1886 with the United States and were resettled in Oklahoma
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The contour of the rock face back of the big boulders was concave, so that the defenders were protected from sharpshooters at the edge of the precipice above.
attackersnounUS /əˈtækərz/
plural of “attacker” — someone who attacks
From this reading The ledge that ran up to it on the right offered no cover for attackers.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The contour of the rock face back of the big boulders was concave, so that the defenders were protected from sharpshooters at the edge of the precipice above.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading It was scarcely three feet wide, and above and below it the wall was for practical purposes perpendicular.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
bouldernounUS /ˈboʊldər/
a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
bouldersnounUS /ˈboʊldərz/
plural of “boulder” — a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin
From this reading The contour of the rock face back of the big boulders was concave, so that the defenders were protected from sharpshooters at the edge of the precipice above.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
an occurrence of something
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
concaveadjectiveUS /kɑːnˈkeɪv/
curving inward
From this reading The contour of the rock face back of the big boulders was concave, so that the defenders were protected from sharpshooters at the edge of the precipice above.
contournounUS /ˈkɑːntʊr/
a line drawn on a map connecting points of equal height
From this reading The contour of the rock face back of the big boulders was concave, so that the defenders were protected from sharpshooters at the edge of the precipice above.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading The ledge that ran up to it on the right offered no cover for attackers.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
defendersnounUS /dɪˈfendərz/
plural of “defender” — a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading The contour of the rock face back of the big boulders was concave, so that the defenders were protected from sharpshooters at the edge of the precipice above.
defensibleadjectiveUS /dɪˈfensəbəl/
capable of being defended
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
Dinsmore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading The contour of the rock face back of the big boulders was concave, so that the defenders were protected from sharpshooters at the edge of the precipice above.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The contour of the rock face back of the big boulders was concave, so that the defenders were protected from sharpshooters at the edge of the precipice above.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading It was scarcely three feet wide, and above and below it the wall was for practical purposes perpendicular.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The ledge that ran up to it on the right offered no cover for attackers.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The contour of the rock face back of the big boulders was concave, so that the defenders were protected from sharpshooters at the edge of the precipice above.
gangnounUS /ɡæŋ/
an association of criminals
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
GET-AWAY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
destroyed or killed
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
gulchnounUS /ɡʌltʃ/
a narrow gorge with a stream running through it
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
GURLEY'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The ledge that ran up to it on the right offered no cover for attackers.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading The ledge that ran up to it on the right offered no cover for attackers.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
not any; not one
From this reading The ledge that ran up to it on the right offered no cover for attackers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading The ledge that ran up to it on the right offered no cover for attackers.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The ledge that ran up to it on the right offered no cover for attackers.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
outlawsnounUS /ˈaʊtlɔːz/
plural of “outlaw” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
a course of conduct
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
perpendicularnounUS /ˌpɜːrpənˈdɪkjələr/
a straight line at right angles to another line
From this reading It was scarcely three feet wide, and above and below it the wall was for practical purposes perpendicular.
Pete
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
possenounUS /ˈpɑːsi/
a temporary police force
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading It was scarcely three feet wide, and above and below it the wall was for practical purposes perpendicular.
precipicenounUS /ˈpresəpəs/
a very steep cliff
From this reading The contour of the rock face back of the big boulders was concave, so that the defenders were protected from sharpshooters at the edge of the precipice above.
protectedadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪd/
kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss
From this reading The contour of the rock face back of the big boulders was concave, so that the defenders were protected from sharpshooters at the edge of the precipice above.
purposesnounUS /ˈpɜːrpəsəz/
plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It was scarcely three feet wide, and above and below it the wall was for practical purposes perpendicular.
quartznounUS /kwɔːrts/
colorless glass made of almost pure silica
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
RamonanounUS /rəˈmoʊnə/
shrubby plant with aromatic greyish-green leaves used as a cooking herb
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The ledge that ran up to it on the right offered no cover for attackers.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The ledge that ran up to it on the right offered no cover for attackers.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The contour of the rock face back of the big boulders was concave, so that the defenders were protected from sharpshooters at the edge of the precipice above.
roundedadjectiveUS /ˈraʊndəd/
curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
only a very short time before
From this reading It was scarcely three feet wide, and above and below it the wall was for practical purposes perpendicular.
sharpshootersnounUS /ˈʃɑːrpʃuːtərz/
plural of “sharpshooter” — an athlete noted for accurate aim
From this reading The contour of the rock face back of the big boulders was concave, so that the defenders were protected from sharpshooters at the edge of the precipice above.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The contour of the rock face back of the big boulders was concave, so that the defenders were protected from sharpshooters at the edge of the precipice above.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The ledge that ran up to it on the right offered no cover for attackers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It was scarcely three feet wide, and above and below it the wall was for practical purposes perpendicular.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The ledge that ran up to it on the right offered no cover for attackers.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading It was scarcely three feet wide, and above and below it the wall was for practical purposes perpendicular.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was scarcely three feet wide, and above and below it the wall was for practical purposes perpendicular.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The contour of the rock face back of the big boulders was concave, so that the defenders were protected from sharpshooters at the edge of the precipice above.
at the time that
From this reading In anticipation of a day when his gang might be rounded up by a posse, Pete Dinsmore had gone over the path and flung down into the gulch every bit of quartz big enough to shelter a man.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading GURLEY'S GET-AWAY The boulder cave to which the Apaches had driven Dinsmore and Ramona had long since been picked out by the outlaws as a defensible position in case of need.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading It was scarcely three feet wide, and above and below it the wall was for practical purposes perpendicular.
