used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
adobes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
amitynounUS /ˈæmɪti/
a cordial disposition
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
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 In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
bowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading They had left their lances stuck in the earth, but they still carried their bows and quivers.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They had left their lances stuck in the earth, but they still carried their bows and quivers.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading They had left their lances stuck in the earth, but they still carried their bows and quivers.
Clara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
disintegratedverbUS /dɪˈsɪntəɡreɪtɪd/
past form of “disintegrate” — break into parts or components or lose cohesion or unity
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading They had left their lances stuck in the earth, but they still carried their bows and quivers.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
fissurenounUS /ˈfɪʃər/
a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
set up or found
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
an old word meaning “to this place”
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
ten 10s
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
lances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had left their lances stuck in the earth, but they still carried their bows and quivers.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading They had left their lances stuck in the earth, but they still carried their bows and quivers.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
moundnounUS /maʊnd/
(baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
parleynounUS /ˈpɑːrli/
a negotiation between enemies
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
ponynounUS /ˈpoʊniː/
a range horse of the western United States
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
prancingverbUS /ˈprænsɪŋ/
-ing form of “prance” — to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
quivers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had left their lances stuck in the earth, but they still carried their bows and quivers.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
rivuletnoun
a small stream
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
savagesnounUS /ˈsævədʒəz/
plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
not in physical motion
From this reading They had left their lances stuck in the earth, but they still carried their bows and quivers.
move an implement through
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
caught or fixed
From this reading They had left their lances stuck in the earth, but they still carried their bows and quivers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They had left their lances stuck in the earth, but they still carried their bows and quivers.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had left their lances stuck in the earth, but they still carried their bows and quivers.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
Thurstane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
time-eaten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
tremulousadjectiveUS /ˈtremjələs/
(of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
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 In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
warriornounUS /ˈwɔːriər/
someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
look attentively
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There had been a stir immediately on his appearance: first one warrior and then another had mounted his pony; a score of them were now prancing hither and thither.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the time-eaten wall Clara had found a fissure through which she could watch the parley between Thurstane and the Apaches.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading She climbed into it from a mound of disintegrated adobes, and stood there, pale, tremulous, and breathless, her whole soul in her eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Thurstane, walking his horse and making signs of amity with his cap, had by this time reached the low bank of the rivulet, and halted within four hundred yards of the savages.
