used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A QUESTION OF BRANDS Trailing a herd of cattle through a strange wild country is no sinecure.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
behavedverbUS /bɪˈheɪvd/
past form of “behave” — behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
BRANDSnounUS /brændz/
plural of “brand” — a name given to a product or service
From this reading A QUESTION OF BRANDS Trailing a herd of cattle through a strange wild country is no sinecure.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading A QUESTION OF BRANDS Trailing a herd of cattle through a strange wild country is no sinecure.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading A QUESTION OF BRANDS Trailing a herd of cattle through a strange wild country is no sinecure.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
increase twofold
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
escortnounUS /eˈskɔːrt/
someone who escorts and protects a prominent person
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading The Double A herd was no exception.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
an established custom
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
headedadjectiveUS /ˈhedəd/
having a heading or course in a certain direction
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
heart-breaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
herdnounUS /hɜːrd/
a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading A QUESTION OF BRANDS Trailing a herd of cattle through a strange wild country is no sinecure.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
insistingnounUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstɪŋ/
continual and persistent demands
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
irritatingadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtɪŋ/
causing irritation or annoyance
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A QUESTION OF BRANDS Trailing a herd of cattle through a strange wild country is no sinecure.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
LasnounUS /lɑːs/
plural of “la” — a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
the force of workers available
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
not any; not one
From this reading A QUESTION OF BRANDS Trailing a herd of cattle through a strange wild country is no sinecure.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
obstinatelyadverb
in a stubborn unregenerate manner
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A QUESTION OF BRANDS Trailing a herd of cattle through a strange wild country is no sinecure.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
outfitnounUS /ˈaʊtfɪt/
any cohesive unit such as a military company
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
persistingadjectiveUS /pərˈsɪstɪŋ/
relentless and indefatigable in pursuit or as if in pursuit
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading A QUESTION OF BRANDS Trailing a herd of cattle through a strange wild country is no sinecure.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
requiringverbUS /riˈkwaɪərɪŋ/
-ing form of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
precisely, exactly
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
sectionsnounUS /ˈsekʃənz/
plural of “section” — a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
sinecurenoun
a benefice to which no spiritual or pastoral duties are attached
From this reading A QUESTION OF BRANDS Trailing a herd of cattle through a strange wild country is no sinecure.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading A QUESTION OF BRANDS Trailing a herd of cattle through a strange wild country is no sinecure.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A QUESTION OF BRANDS Trailing a herd of cattle through a strange wild country is no sinecure.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
tractableadjectiveUS /ˈtræktəbəl/
easily managed (controlled or taught or molded)
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
TrailingnounUS /ˈtreɪlɪŋ/
the pursuit (of a person or animal) by following tracks or marks they left behind
From this reading A QUESTION OF BRANDS Trailing a herd of cattle through a strange wild country is no sinecure.
vagariesnounUS /ˈveɪɡəriz/
plural of “vagary” — an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.)
From this reading Wild cattle are not tractable; they have an irritating habit of obstinately insisting on finding their own trail, and of persisting in vagaries that are the despair of their escort.
VegasnounUS /ˈveɪɡəs/
plural of “vega” — prolific Spanish playwright (1562-1635)
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
(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 On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On a broad level they behaved fairly well, though always requiring the attention of the men; but in the broken sections of country through which they passed, heart-breaking effort was required of the men to keep them headed in the right direction.
which person or people
From this reading There was not a man in the Double A outfit who expected an easy time in trailing the herd to Las Vegas, for it was a rough, grim country, and the men were experienced.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading A QUESTION OF BRANDS Trailing a herd of cattle through a strange wild country is no sinecure.
