used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER Purdy did not hit for the subterranean hang-out of the gang.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An object upon the river caught his attention, and after a moment's scrutiny he made out a man in a skiff.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading An object upon the river caught his attention, and after a moment's scrutiny he made out a man in a skiff.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading The boat was close in shore and the man was evidently scanning the bank.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER Purdy did not hit for the subterranean hang-out of the gang.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The boat was close in shore and the man was evidently scanning the bank.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading An object upon the river caught his attention, and after a moment's scrutiny he made out a man in a skiff.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The boat was close in shore and the man was evidently scanning the bank.
without stop or interruption
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
coulees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER Purdy did not hit for the subterranean hang-out of the gang.
dismounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
eminencenounUS /ˈemənəns/
high status importance owing to marked superiority
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
a movement into or inward
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The boat was close in shore and the man was evidently scanning the bank.
FEATHERverbUS /ˈfeðər/
join tongue and groove, in carpentry
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER Purdy did not hit for the subterranean hang-out of the gang.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
footingnounUS /ˈfʊtɪŋ/
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER Purdy did not hit for the subterranean hang-out of the gang.
gangnounUS /ɡæŋ/
an association of criminals
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER Purdy did not hit for the subterranean hang-out of the gang.
hang-out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER Purdy did not hit for the subterranean hang-out of the gang.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
cause to move by striking
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER Purdy did not hit for the subterranean hang-out of the gang.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An object upon the river caught his attention, and after a moment's scrutiny he made out a man in a skiff.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
go away from a place
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading An object upon the river caught his attention, and after a moment's scrutiny he made out a man in a skiff.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
moment'snounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading An object upon the river caught his attention, and after a moment's scrutiny he made out a man in a skiff.
not any; not one
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER Purdy did not hit for the subterranean hang-out of the gang.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading An object upon the river caught his attention, and after a moment's scrutiny he made out a man in a skiff.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER Purdy did not hit for the subterranean hang-out of the gang.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading An object upon the river caught his attention, and after a moment's scrutiny he made out a man in a skiff.
select carefully from a group
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
Purdy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER Purdy did not hit for the subterranean hang-out of the gang.
ridgesnounUS /ˈrɪdʒəz/
plural of “ridge” — a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
scanningnounUS /ˈskænɪŋ/
the process of translating photographs into a digital form that can be recognized by a computer
From this reading The boat was close in shore and the man was evidently scanning the bank.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading An object upon the river caught his attention, and after a moment's scrutiny he made out a man in a skiff.
selectadjectiveUS /səˈlekt/
of superior grade
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading The boat was close in shore and the man was evidently scanning the bank.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
skiffnounUS /skɪf/
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
From this reading An object upon the river caught his attention, and after a moment's scrutiny he made out a man in a skiff.
subterraneanadjectiveUS /ˌsʌb.təˈreɪ.ni.ən/
Existing, occurring, or done under the earth's surface.
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER Purdy did not hit for the subterranean hang-out of the gang.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
surveyedverbUS /sərˈveɪd/
past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER Purdy did not hit for the subterranean hang-out of the gang.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
trailless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading An object upon the river caught his attention, and after a moment's scrutiny he made out a man in a skiff.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The boat was close in shore and the man was evidently scanning the bank.
a Caucasian
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Two hours later with five or six miles of trailless bad lands behind him he dismounted and, climbing a rocky eminence, carefully surveyed his surroundings.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Instead, after entering the bad lands, he continued on up the river for a distance of several miles, being careful to select footing for the horses among the rock ridges and coulees that would leave no trail--no trail, at least, that any white man could pick up and follow.
