Chapter XIX · A Fight

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

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

fear resulting from the awareness of danger

From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.

(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 All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

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

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

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

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

causing inconvenience

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

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

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

a very boastful and talkative person

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

a youthful male person

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

a very boastful and talkative person

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

plural of “brawl” — an uproarious party

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

a cruel and brutal fellow

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

United States biologist remembered for her opposition to the use of pesticides that were hazardous to wildlife (1907-1964)

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

the act of examining resemblances

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

argue or speak in defense of

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.

past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

someone employed to conduct others

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

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

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

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

From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

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

From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.

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

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

become part of; become a member of a group or organization

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

a case for containing a set of articles

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

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

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.

the force of workers available

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

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

From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

inferior in rank or status

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

plural of “quarrel” — an angry dispute

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.

(Old Testment) a son of Jacob and forefather of one of the tribes of Israel

From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

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

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

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

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

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

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

plural of “trapper” — someone who sets traps for animals (usually to obtain their furs)

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

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

From this reading Instantly a silence that was tense and could almost be felt fell upon the entire camp.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Brawls and quarrels were not uncommon among the lonely men, but this was the first time any one had known Kit Carson to join in the petty bickerings of the camp.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Reuben, startled at first by the quiet manner in which his friend had spoken, now looked at him in alarm.

which person or people

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

in the company of; together with

From this reading All the trappers gazed in surprise first at the tall, awkward boaster and then at Kit Carson, who in comparison with the other man seemed to be little more than a boy in size.

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

From this reading It did not seem possible that so slight and light a man as the guide would be able to defend himself against the braggart, who was known as the bully of the West.