Chapter II

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

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

Having no one else present.

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

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

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

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

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

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

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Notwithstanding their precautions, they discovered, in the morning, that four of their best horses were missing, and a council was held to consider the matter.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

a strong flame that burns brightly

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

deem to be

From this reading Notwithstanding their precautions, they discovered, in the morning, that four of their best horses were missing, and a council was held to consider the matter.

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading Notwithstanding their precautions, they discovered, in the morning, that four of their best horses were missing, and a council was held to consider the matter.

made known or openly avowed

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading Notwithstanding their precautions, they discovered, in the morning, that four of their best horses were missing, and a council was held to consider the matter.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

past form of “encamp” — live in or as if in a tent

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

a fortified military post where troops are stationed

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Notwithstanding their precautions, they discovered, in the morning, that four of their best horses were missing, and a council was held to consider the matter.

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

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

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

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

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

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Notwithstanding their precautions, they discovered, in the morning, that four of their best horses were missing, and a council was held to consider the matter.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Notwithstanding their precautions, they discovered, in the morning, that four of their best horses were missing, and a council was held to consider the matter.

ten 10s

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

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

From this reading Notwithstanding their precautions, they discovered, in the morning, that four of their best horses were missing, and a council was held to consider the matter.

plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

a university town in southeast Wyoming

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

something that is lost

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Notwithstanding their precautions, they discovered, in the morning, that four of their best horses were missing, and a council was held to consider the matter.

the force of workers available

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

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

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

not able to be found

From this reading Notwithstanding their precautions, they discovered, in the morning, that four of their best horses were missing, and a council was held to consider the matter.

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

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Notwithstanding their precautions, they discovered, in the morning, that four of their best horses were missing, and a council was held to consider the matter.

used to form the superlative

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

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

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

not any; not one

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)

From this reading Notwithstanding their precautions, they discovered, in the morning, that four of their best horses were missing, and a council was held to consider the matter.

past form of “number” — add up in number or quantity

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

and nothing more

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

a river in Nebraska that flows eastward to become a tributary of the Missouri River

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

plural of “precaution” — a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.

From this reading Notwithstanding their precautions, they discovered, in the morning, that four of their best horses were missing, and a council was held to consider the matter.

past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

move with force

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

-ing form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

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

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Notwithstanding their precautions, they discovered, in the morning, that four of their best horses were missing, and a council was held to consider the matter.

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

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

in or at that place or location

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

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

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

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

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

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

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

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

From this reading The party numbered only a dozen men, and as their force was so small, they had taken special care to guard against attack or accident.

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

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

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

From this reading As there were no signs of Indians to be seen, they came to the conclusion that the animals had got loose, and had taken the back track on the trail by which the party had come.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

United States writer and dramatist (1897-1975)

From this reading Near the head of the Platte, more than a hundred miles beyond Fort Laramie, had encamped, one midsummer night, a party of hunters and trappers, among whom were Fred Wilder and Old Blaze.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.

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

From this reading As most of the men were in a hurry to reach their destination, they proposed to push forward without regarding the loss; but Wilder, to whom three of the horses belonged, was loth to lose them, and he declared that he would go in search of them, if he had to go alone.