used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
(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 At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
buggynounUS /ˈbʌɡi/
a small lightweight carriage; drawn by a single horse
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
bulknounUS /bʌlk/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading There was an improvised ring, but no stand, and in these railed-off enclosures the bulk of the wagering took place.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was an improvised ring, but no stand, and in these railed-off enclosures the bulk of the wagering took place.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
compassnounUS /ˈkʌmpəs/
navigational instrument for finding directions
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
descriptionsnounUS /dɪˈskrɪpʃənz/
plural of “description” — a statement that represents something in words
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
enclosuresnounUS /ɪnˈkloʊʒərz/
plural of “enclosure” — a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose
From this reading There was an improvised ring, but no stand, and in these railed-off enclosures the bulk of the wagering took place.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
only a very short time before
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
the act of retaining something
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
idealadjectiveUS /aɪˈdiːl/
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
improvisedadjectiveUS /ˈɪmprəvaɪzd/
done or made using whatever is available
From this reading There was an improvised ring, but no stand, and in these railed-off enclosures the bulk of the wagering took place.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was an improvised ring, but no stand, and in these railed-off enclosures the bulk of the wagering took place.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
keenestadjectiveUS /ˈkiːnəst/
superlative of “keen” — having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
not any; not one
From this reading There was an improvised ring, but no stand, and in these railed-off enclosures the bulk of the wagering took place.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
and nothing more
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
any competition
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
race-course
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
railed-off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an improvised ring, but no stand, and in these railed-off enclosures the bulk of the wagering took place.
ramshackleadjectiveUS /ˈræmʃækəl/
in deplorable condition
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading There was an improvised ring, but no stand, and in these railed-off enclosures the bulk of the wagering took place.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
be standing; be upright
From this reading There was an improvised ring, but no stand, and in these railed-off enclosures the bulk of the wagering took place.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
SwampverbUS /swɑːmp/
drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was an improvised ring, but no stand, and in these railed-off enclosures the bulk of the wagering took place.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading There was an improvised ring, but no stand, and in these railed-off enclosures the bulk of the wagering took place.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading There was an improvised ring, but no stand, and in these railed-off enclosures the bulk of the wagering took place.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
two times
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
unevenadjectiveUS /əˈniːvən/
not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture
From this reading The track was somewhat uneven, and only a mile round, so that for the cup race the horses had to compass it twice.
vehiclesnounUS /ˈviːhɪkəlz/
plural of “vehicle” — a conveyance that transports people or objects
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
wageringverbUS /ˈweɪdʒərɪŋ/
-ing form of “wager” — stake on the outcome of an issue
From this reading There was an improvised ring, but no stand, and in these railed-off enclosures the bulk of the wagering took place.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AT THE POST Swamp Creek race-course was not an attractive place, nor was it an ideal ground for the purpose.
look attentively
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At a comparatively early hour the course was crowded with a large number of vehicles of all descriptions, from the smart buggy to the more humble ramshackle which hardly seemed capable of holding together.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was, however, a track that gave the people a good chance of seeing every part of the race, and they could thus watch the struggle with the keenest interest.
