used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
abatedverbUS /əˈbeɪtɪd/
past form of “abate” — make less active or intense
From this reading Owen, his rage somewhat abated, though he still watched Dale and his men with sullen, malevolent eyes, had changed his position.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
blotnounUS /blɑːt/
a blemish made by dirt
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
calmnessnounUS /ˈkɑːmnəs/
steadiness of mind under stress
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Owen, his rage somewhat abated, though he still watched Dale and his men with sullen, malevolent eyes, had changed his position.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
crawledverbUS /krɔːld/
past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
crisisnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/
an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
DalenounUS /deɪl/
an open river valley (in a hilly area)
From this reading Owen, his rage somewhat abated, though he still watched Dale and his men with sullen, malevolent eyes, had changed his position.
Dale'snounUS /deɪlz/
possessive form of “dale” — an open river valley (in a hilly area)
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
defeatnounUS /dɪˈfiːt/
an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Owen, his rage somewhat abated, though he still watched Dale and his men with sullen, malevolent eyes, had changed his position.
fainteradjectiveUS /ˈfeɪntər/
comparative of “faint” — deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Owen, his rage somewhat abated, though he still watched Dale and his men with sullen, malevolent eyes, had changed his position.
HANGEDverbUS /hæŋd/
past form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Owen, his rage somewhat abated, though he still watched Dale and his men with sullen, malevolent eyes, had changed his position.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
immediately past
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
leapsnounUS /liːps/
plural of “leap” — a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
for more time
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
engage in
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
malevolentadjectiveUS /məˈlevələnt/
wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred
From this reading Owen, his rage somewhat abated, though he still watched Dale and his men with sullen, malevolent eyes, had changed his position.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
the force of workers available
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
mergedadjectiveUS /mɜːrdʒd/
formed or united into a whole
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
mesanounUS /ˈmeɪsə/
flat tableland with steep edges
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
not any; not one
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
OwennounUS /ˈoʊən/
Welsh industrialist and social reformer who founded cooperative communities (1771-1858)
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Owen, his rage somewhat abated, though he still watched Dale and his men with sullen, malevolent eyes, had changed his position.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading Owen, his rage somewhat abated, though he still watched Dale and his men with sullen, malevolent eyes, had changed his position.
ranchhouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
resignationnounUS /ˌrezəɡˈneɪʃən/
acceptance of despair
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
respondverbUS /rɪˈspɑːnd/
show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
ridernounUS /ˈraɪdər/
a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
Sanderson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
cut with a saw
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Owen, his rage somewhat abated, though he still watched Dale and his men with sullen, malevolent eyes, had changed his position.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
not in physical motion
From this reading Owen, his rage somewhat abated, though he still watched Dale and his men with sullen, malevolent eyes, had changed his position.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
StreaknounUS /striːk/
an unbroken series of events
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading Owen, his rage somewhat abated, though he still watched Dale and his men with sullen, malevolent eyes, had changed his position.
moving very fast
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
traveledadjectiveUS /ˈtrævəld/
traveled over or through; sometimes used as a combining term
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Dale's men, their backs to Owen and Mary, seemed to have accepted their defeat in a spirit of resignation, for they made no attempt to turn their heads.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Owen, his rage somewhat abated, though he still watched Dale and his men with sullen, malevolent eyes, had changed his position.
watchersnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃərz/
plural of “watcher” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading A MAN IS HANGED Sanderson and Streak grew dim in the distance until, to the watchers at the ranchhouse, horse and rider merged into a mere blot that crawled up the long slope leading to the mesa.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
a Caucasian
From this reading Mary, white and shaking, though with a calmness that came from the knowledge that in this crisis she must do what she could, went inside and stood behind Owen, ready to respond to any call he might make upon her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
but in spite of that
From this reading The watchers saw the blot yet a little longer, as it traveled with swift, regular leaps along the edge of the mesa; then it grew fainter and fainter, and at last they saw it no more.
