used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
ArrestverbUS /ərˈest/
take into custody
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He ran now to escape being dragged to death, hoping the sheriff might shoot him through the heart as he came near.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
carousingadjectiveUS /kərˈaʊzɪŋ/
used of riotously drunken merrymaking
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As he ran Howling Wolf could see great ranks of yelling people rushing over the field.
cowboysnounUS /ˈkaʊbɔɪz/
plural of “cowboy” — a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading He ran now to escape being dragged to death, hoping the sheriff might shoot him through the heart as he came near.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading He ran now to escape being dragged to death, hoping the sheriff might shoot him through the heart as he came near.
drinkersnounUS /ˈdrɪŋkərz/
plural of “drinker” — a person who drinks liquids
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading He ran now to escape being dragged to death, hoping the sheriff might shoot him through the heart as he came near.
enclose with a fence
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
ferocitynounUS /fərˈɑːsəti/
the property of being wild or turbulent
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading As he ran Howling Wolf could see great ranks of yelling people rushing over the field.
set up or found
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
fugitivenounUS /ˈfjuːdʒətɪv/
someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
a young female
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading As he ran Howling Wolf could see great ranks of yelling people rushing over the field.
gullynounUS /ˈɡʌli/
deep ditch cut by running water (especially after a prolonged downpour)
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he ran Howling Wolf could see great ranks of yelling people rushing over the field.
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 They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading He ran now to escape being dragged to death, hoping the sheriff might shoot him through the heart as he came near.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading He ran now to escape being dragged to death, hoping the sheriff might shoot him through the heart as he came near.
HowlingnounUS /ˈhaʊlɪŋ/
a long loud emotional utterance
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
IllustrationnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/
artwork that helps make something clear or attractive
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
and nothing more
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
kidnapedverbUS /ˈkɪdnæpt/
past form of “kidnap” — take away to an undisclosed location against their will and usually in order to extract a ransom
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
lariats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
loadingnounUS /ˈloʊdɪŋ/
weight to be borne or conveyed
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He ran now to escape being dragged to death, hoping the sheriff might shoot him through the heart as he came near.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
murderedadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrdərd/
killed unlawfully
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading He ran now to escape being dragged to death, hoping the sheriff might shoot him through the heart as he came near.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He ran now to escape being dragged to death, hoping the sheriff might shoot him through the heart as he came near.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As he ran Howling Wolf could see great ranks of yelling people rushing over the field.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading As he ran Howling Wolf could see great ranks of yelling people rushing over the field.
pitilessadjectiveUS /ˈpɪtiləs/
without mercy or pity
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
ranksnounUS /ræŋks/
plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading As he ran Howling Wolf could see great ranks of yelling people rushing over the field.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading As he ran Howling Wolf could see great ranks of yelling people rushing over the field.
ScoutnounUS /skaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading As he ran Howling Wolf could see great ranks of yelling people rushing over the field.
sheriffnounUS /ˈʃerəf/
the principal law-enforcement officer in a county
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
hit with a missile from a weapon
From this reading He ran now to escape being dragged to death, hoping the sheriff might shoot him through the heart as he came near.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
squadnounUS /skwɑːd/
a smallest army unit
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
successive (without a break)
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
believed likely
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
possessing sweep
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He ran now to escape being dragged to death, hoping the sheriff might shoot him through the heart as he came near.
tiswin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He ran now to escape being dragged to death, hoping the sheriff might shoot him through the heart as he came near.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
tracedverbUS /treɪst/
past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
(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 They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
in or at the place that
From this reading [Illustration: The Arrest of the Scout _Suspected of having kidnaped an Indian girl and murdered her mother, this man was traced to a tiswin camp, where he was found carousing with other drinkers.
which person or people
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
whoopings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then, as if his shooting were a signal, a squad of cowboys rose out of a gully just before the fugitive, and with wild whoopings swept toward him.
any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading They came with lariats swinging high above their heads, and Howling Wolf, knowing well their pitiless ferocity, turned and ran straight toward the sheriff, who stood loading his gun on the inside of the fence.
yellingnounUS /ˈjelɪŋ/
uttering a loud inarticulate cry as of pain or excitement
From this reading As he ran Howling Wolf could see great ranks of yelling people rushing over the field.
