used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It might be, too, that he would have darkness in his favor, though he could not count on this.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It might be, too, that he would have darkness in his favor, though he could not count on this.
determine the number or amount of
From this reading It might be, too, that he would have darkness in his favor, though he could not count on this.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It might be, too, that he would have darkness in his favor, though he could not count on this.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
at any time
From this reading For one thing the Mexicans were very poor shots, a little the worst he had ever seen.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
promote over another
From this reading It might be, too, that he would have darkness in his favor, though he could not count on this.
favoredadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪvərd/
preferred above all others and treated with partiality
From this reading If luck favored him, he might win past these.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
gauntletnounUS /ˈɡɔːntlət/
to offer or accept a challenge
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For one thing the Mexicans were very poor shots, a little the worst he had ever seen.
HarrisonnounUS /ˈherɪsən/
English actor on stage and in films (1908-1990)
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If luck favored him, he might win past these.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If luck favored him, he might win past these.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It might be, too, that he would have darkness in his favor, though he could not count on this.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading For one thing the Mexicans were very poor shots, a little the worst he had ever seen.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading If luck favored him, he might win past these.
mesanounUS /ˈmeɪsə/
flat tableland with steep edges
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
MexicansnounUS /ˈmeksɪkənz/
plural of “mexican” — a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading For one thing the Mexicans were very poor shots, a little the worst he had ever seen.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
used to form the superlative
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For one thing the Mexicans were very poor shots, a little the worst he had ever seen.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading If luck favored him, he might win past these.
patrolsnounUS /pəˈtroʊlz/
plural of “patrol” — a detachment used for security or reconnaissance
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading For one thing the Mexicans were very poor shots, a little the worst he had ever seen.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
saddledadjectiveUS /ˈsædəld/
having a saddle on or being mounted on a saddled animal
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading For one thing the Mexicans were very poor shots, a little the worst he had ever seen.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading For one thing the Mexicans were very poor shots, a little the worst he had ever seen.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
carry out
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading If luck favored him, he might win past these.
a special situation
From this reading For one thing the Mexicans were very poor shots, a little the worst he had ever seen.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It might be, too, that he would have darkness in his favor, though he could not count on this.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It might be, too, that he would have darkness in his favor, though he could not count on this.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It might be, too, that he would have darkness in his favor, though he could not count on this.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
TRAGEDYnounUS /ˈtrædʒədi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
precisely as stated
From this reading For one thing the Mexicans were very poor shots, a little the worst he had ever seen.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
at the time that
From this reading A STAGE PREPARED FOR TRAGEDY Not knowing when his opportunity might come, Harrison kept his horse saddled most of the time.
be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
From this reading If luck favored him, he might win past these.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading For one thing the Mexicans were very poor shots, a little the worst he had ever seen.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He knew that extra mounted patrols were kept at the ends of the streets and at other points on the mesa surrounding the town, and that he would have to take a chance of being able to run the gauntlet in safety.
