Chapter VI · Chapter 6

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading This was not altogether a simple business, for there was danger of stampede in making the slightest unusual noise.

(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 So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading This was not altogether a simple business, for there was danger of stampede in making the slightest unusual noise.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Now and then they would call to the cattle softly as they rode, or sing to them until the steers had all lain down close together.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

the soft brown fur of the beaver

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Eaton brought Chris McGee, his partner, with him.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading This was not altogether a simple business, for there was danger of stampede in making the slightest unusual noise.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Now and then they would call to the cattle softly as they rode, or sing to them until the steers had all lain down close together.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Eaton brought Chris McGee, his partner, with him.

an assertion of a right (as to money or property)

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Now and then they would call to the cattle softly as they rode, or sing to them until the steers had all lain down close together.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

travel across or pass over

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading This was not altogether a simple business, for there was danger of stampede in making the slightest unusual noise.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This was not altogether a simple business, for there was danger of stampede in making the slightest unusual noise.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Now and then they would call to the cattle softly as they rode, or sing to them until the steers had all lain down close together.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Eaton brought Chris McGee, his partner, with him.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading Now and then they would call to the cattle softly as they rode, or sing to them until the steers had all lain down close together.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

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 So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading This was not altogether a simple business, for there was danger of stampede in making the slightest unusual noise.

a native or inhabitant of Malta

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Eaton brought Chris McGee, his partner, with him.

the force of workers available

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

a midwestern state in central United States; a border state during the American Civil War, Missouri was admitted to the Confederacy without actually seceding from the Union

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading This was not altogether a simple business, for there was danger of stampede in making the slightest unusual noise.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This was not altogether a simple business, for there was danger of stampede in making the slightest unusual noise.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now and then they would call to the cattle softly as they rode, or sing to them until the steers had all lain down close together.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

and nothing more

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

a person's partner in marriage

From this reading Eaton brought Chris McGee, his partner, with him.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

with low volume

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

32nd President of the United States; elected four times; instituted New Deal to counter the Great Depression and led country during World War II (1882-1945)

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading This was not altogether a simple business, for there was danger of stampede in making the slightest unusual noise.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

deliver by singing

From this reading Now and then they would call to the cattle softly as they rode, or sing to them until the steers had all lain down close together.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading This was not altogether a simple business, for there was danger of stampede in making the slightest unusual noise.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

with low volume

From this reading Now and then they would call to the cattle softly as they rode, or sing to them until the steers had all lain down close together.

past form of “stake” — put at risk

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

cause to run in panic

From this reading This was not altogether a simple business, for there was danger of stampede in making the slightest unusual noise.

plural of “steer” — an indication of potential opportunity

From this reading Now and then they would call to the cattle softly as they rode, or sing to them until the steers had all lain down close together.

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Now and then they would call to the cattle softly as they rode, or sing to them until the steers had all lain down close together.

in or at that place or location

From this reading This was not altogether a simple business, for there was danger of stampede in making the slightest unusual noise.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Now and then they would call to the cattle softly as they rode, or sing to them until the steers had all lain down close together.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This was not altogether a simple business, for there was danger of stampede in making the slightest unusual noise.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Now and then they would call to the cattle softly as they rode, or sing to them until the steers had all lain down close together.

plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

up to a particular time

From this reading Now and then they would call to the cattle softly as they rode, or sing to them until the steers had all lain down close together.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading This was not altogether a simple business, for there was danger of stampede in making the slightest unusual noise.

plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading So each dusk, Roosevelt and his men drove the cattle down from the side valleys, and each night, in two-hour "tricks" all night long, one or the other of them rode slowly and quietly round and round the herd, heading off all that tried to stray.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading This was not altogether a simple business, for there was danger of stampede in making the slightest unusual noise.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

in or at the place that

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

during the time that

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

which person or people

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

in the company of; together with

From this reading Eaton brought Chris McGee, his partner, with him.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading It was while Roosevelt was working at Elkhorn that he received a call from Howard Eaton, who was his neighbor there as well as at the Maltese Cross, since his ranch at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek was only five miles down the Little Missouri from the place where Roosevelt had "staked his claim."

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Now and then they would call to the cattle softly as they rode, or sing to them until the steers had all lain down close together.