used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
achedverbUS /eɪkt/
past form of “ache” — feel physical pain
From this reading He had worked hard, till every bone in his body ached, and till his knees were chafed and raw.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For he had every reason to be pleased with the way in which his fortunes were progressing.
BluntadjectiveUS /blʌnt/
having a broad or rounded end
From this reading He had persevered until even the exacting Mr. Blunt was favorably impressed with his riding.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading He had worked hard, till every bone in his body ached, and till his knees were chafed and raw.
bonenounUS /boʊn/
rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates
From this reading He had worked hard, till every bone in his body ached, and till his knees were chafed and raw.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
make calm or still
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
chafedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪft/
painful from having the skin abraded
From this reading He had worked hard, till every bone in his body ached, and till his knees were chafed and raw.
ComptonnounUS /ˈkɑːmptən/
United States physicist noted for research on x-rays and gamma rays and nuclear energy
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
deem to be
From this reading "Few would consider him to be a gringo now," reflected his employer, as he watched his young friend out of the tail of his eye.
Dudley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/
a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading "Few would consider him to be a gringo now," reflected his employer, as he watched his young friend out of the tail of his eye.
divisible by two
From this reading He had persevered until even the exacting Mr. Blunt was favorably impressed with his riding.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading For he had every reason to be pleased with the way in which his fortunes were progressing.
exactingadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzæktɪŋ/
having complicated nutritional requirements; especially growing only in special artificial cultures
From this reading He had persevered until even the exacting Mr. Blunt was favorably impressed with his riding.
the organ of sight
From this reading "Few would consider him to be a gringo now," reflected his employer, as he watched his young friend out of the tail of his eye.
favorablyadverbUS /ˈfeɪvərəbli/
showing approval
From this reading He had persevered until even the exacting Mr. Blunt was favorably impressed with his riding.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading "Few would consider him to be a gringo now," reflected his employer, as he watched his young friend out of the tail of his eye.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For he had every reason to be pleased with the way in which his fortunes were progressing.
fortunesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading For he had every reason to be pleased with the way in which his fortunes were progressing.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading "Few would consider him to be a gringo now," reflected his employer, as he watched his young friend out of the tail of his eye.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
gringonounUS /ˈɡrɪŋɡoʊ/
a Latin American (disparaging) term for foreigners (especially Americans and Englishmen)
From this reading "Few would consider him to be a gringo now," reflected his employer, as he watched his young friend out of the tail of his eye.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For he had every reason to be pleased with the way in which his fortunes were progressing.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading He had worked hard, till every bone in his body ached, and till his knees were chafed and raw.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Few would consider him to be a gringo now," reflected his employer, as he watched his young friend out of the tail of his eye.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
deeply or markedly affected or influenced
From this reading He had persevered until even the exacting Mr. Blunt was favorably impressed with his riding.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading He had worked hard, till every bone in his body ached, and till his knees were chafed and raw.
METTLEnounUS /ˈmetəl/
the courage to carry on
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
a form of address for a man
From this reading He had persevered until even the exacting Mr. Blunt was favorably impressed with his riding.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Few would consider him to be a gringo now," reflected his employer, as he watched his young friend out of the tail of his eye.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Few would consider him to be a gringo now," reflected his employer, as he watched his young friend out of the tail of his eye.
perseveredverbUS /ˌpɜːrsəˈvɪrd/
past form of “persevere” — be persistent, refuse to stop
From this reading He had persevered until even the exacting Mr. Blunt was favorably impressed with his riding.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading For he had every reason to be pleased with the way in which his fortunes were progressing.
progressingverbUS /prəˈɡresɪŋ/
-ing form of “progress” — develop in a positive way
From this reading For he had every reason to be pleased with the way in which his fortunes were progressing.
rancho
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
rawadjectiveUS /rɑː/
(used especially of commodities) being unprocessed or manufactured using only simple or minimal processes
From this reading He had worked hard, till every bone in his body ached, and till his knees were chafed and raw.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading For he had every reason to be pleased with the way in which his fortunes were progressing.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading "Few would consider him to be a gringo now," reflected his employer, as he watched his young friend out of the tail of his eye.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading He had persevered until even the exacting Mr. Blunt was favorably impressed with his riding.
put a saddle on
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
self-possessionnoun
the trait of resolutely controlling your own behavior
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
From this reading "Few would consider him to be a gringo now," reflected his employer, as he watched his young friend out of the tail of his eye.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
in or at that place or location
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
up to a particular time
From this reading He had worked hard, till every bone in his body ached, and till his knees were chafed and raw.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For he had every reason to be pleased with the way in which his fortunes were progressing.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He had persevered until even the exacting Mr. Blunt was favorably impressed with his riding.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SHOWING HIS METTLE There was a calm air of self-possession about Dudley Compton as he stood in front of the rancho building on the following morning, his native saddle at his feet and his gun across his shoulder.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading "Few would consider him to be a gringo now," reflected his employer, as he watched his young friend out of the tail of his eye.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading For he had every reason to be pleased with the way in which his fortunes were progressing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For he had every reason to be pleased with the way in which his fortunes were progressing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For he had every reason to be pleased with the way in which his fortunes were progressing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For he had every reason to be pleased with the way in which his fortunes were progressing.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He had worked hard, till every bone in his body ached, and till his knees were chafed and raw.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "Few would consider him to be a gringo now," reflected his employer, as he watched his young friend out of the tail of his eye.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "Few would consider him to be a gringo now," reflected his employer, as he watched his young friend out of the tail of his eye.
