used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
ABOUTprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had taken an instinctive dislike to his guard, the dislike of a straightforward man to the shifty-eyed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
any thing at all
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
from appearances alone
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had not yet learned that it is usually up to a man to work up his own job, but he was learning.
cañon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
carefully weighed
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
dependentadjectiveUS /dɪˈpendənt/
relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
true confidential information
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
dislikenounUS /dɪˈslaɪk/
an inclination to withhold approval from some person or group
From this reading He had taken an instinctive dislike to his guard, the dislike of a straightforward man to the shifty-eyed.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
dreamilyadverb
in a dreamy manner
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
escortedverbUS /eˈskɔːrtɪd/
past form of “escort” — accompany as an escort
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
at any time
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
hangedverbUS /hæŋd/
past form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
hoofsnounUS /hʊfs/
plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
of great significance or value
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
instinctiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/
unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct
From this reading He had taken an instinctive dislike to his guard, the dislike of a straightforward man to the shifty-eyed.
instructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had not yet learned that it is usually up to a man to work up his own job, but he was learning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had not yet learned that it is usually up to a man to work up his own job, but he was learning.
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading He had not yet learned that it is usually up to a man to work up his own job, but he was learning.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading He had not yet learned that it is usually up to a man to work up his own job, but he was learning.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading He had not yet learned that it is usually up to a man to work up his own job, but he was learning.
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 He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He had not yet learned that it is usually up to a man to work up his own job, but he was learning.
by chance
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
the force of workers available
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had not yet learned that it is usually up to a man to work up his own job, but he was learning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He had not yet learned that it is usually up to a man to work up his own job, but he was learning.
rat-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
ScottnounUS /skɑːt/
award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
shacknounUS /ʃæk/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
shifty-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had taken an instinctive dislike to his guard, the dislike of a straightforward man to the shifty-eyed.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
a thing, without saying which
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
straightforwardadjectiveUS /ˈstreɪtˈfɔːrwərd/
free from ambiguity
From this reading He had taken an instinctive dislike to his guard, the dislike of a straightforward man to the shifty-eyed.
subordinateadjectiveUS /səˈbɔːrdəneɪt/
lower in rank or importance
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He had taken an instinctive dislike to his guard, the dislike of a straightforward man to the shifty-eyed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
in or at that place or location
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
THIEFnounUS /θiːf/
a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
til
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT A HORSE THIEF Scott stood gazing dreamily down the cañon trail ’til the sound of the horses’ hoofs had died away in the distance.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
under normal conditions
From this reading He had not yet learned that it is usually up to a man to work up his own job, but he was learning.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
(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 “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading “Well,” he thought, “maybe I should have asked them about the details of this work while I had the chance, but hanged if I ever let that rat-faced guard find out that I do not know anything.”
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He was thinking that two men had escorted him up there to his shack, a duty which they had apparently considered very important, and had left him without any instructions and wholly dependent upon a subordinate.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He had not yet learned that it is usually up to a man to work up his own job, but he was learning.
but in spite of that
From this reading He had not yet learned that it is usually up to a man to work up his own job, but he was learning.
