used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading JACK’S ADVENTURE.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading What he saw a few feet below him caused him to exercise all his self-control to avoid uttering a sharp exclamation.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading What he saw a few feet below him caused him to exercise all his self-control to avoid uttering a sharp exclamation.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading What he saw a few feet below him caused him to exercise all his self-control to avoid uttering a sharp exclamation.
black-orbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading What he saw a few feet below him caused him to exercise all his self-control to avoid uttering a sharp exclamation.
countenancesnounUS /ˈkaʊntənənsɪz/
plural of “countenance” — the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
dark-skinnedadjective
naturally having skin of a dark color
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
emittedverbUS /ɪˈmɪtəd/
inflected form of “emit” — expel (gases or odors)
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading What he saw a few feet below him caused him to exercise all his self-control to avoid uttering a sharp exclamation.
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading What he saw a few feet below him caused him to exercise all his self-control to avoid uttering a sharp exclamation.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading What he saw a few feet below him caused him to exercise all his self-control to avoid uttering a sharp exclamation.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
JACK'SnounUS /dʒæks/
possessive form of “jack” — a small worthless amount
From this reading JACK’S ADVENTURE.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
the force of workers available
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
MexicansnounUS /ˈmeksɪkənz/
plural of “mexican” — a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
oddlyadverbUS /ˈɑːdli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
odornounUS /ˈoʊdər/
any property detected by the olfactory system
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
potnounUS /pɑːt/
metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
rampartnounUS /ˈræmpɑːrt/
an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
reddishadjectiveUS /ˈredɪʃ/
of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
removingverbUS /riˈmuːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “remove” — remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
savoryadjectiveUS /ˈseɪvəri/
morally wholesome or acceptable
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
cut with a saw
From this reading What he saw a few feet below him caused him to exercise all his self-control to avoid uttering a sharp exclamation.
SaxonnounUS /ˈsæksən/
a member of a Germanic people who conquered England and merged with the Angles and Jutes to become Anglo-Saxons; dominant in England until the Norman Conquest
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
self-controlnounUS /ˌselfkənˈtroʊl/
the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses
From this reading What he saw a few feet below him caused him to exercise all his self-control to avoid uttering a sharp exclamation.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading What he saw a few feet below him caused him to exercise all his self-control to avoid uttering a sharp exclamation.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
smolderingadjectiveUS /ˈsmoʊldərɪŋ/
showing scarcely suppressed anger
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
sombreronounUS /sɑːmˈbreroʊ/
one of the islands of Saint Christopher-Nevis
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
stealthyadjectiveUS /ˈstelθi/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
SwarthyadjectiveUS /ˈswɔːrði/
naturally having skin of a dark color
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A few stealthy footsteps served to bring him to the edge of the natural rampart, and then, removing his sombrero, he peered over.
utteringverbUS /ˈʌtərɪŋ/
-ing form of “utter” — articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading What he saw a few feet below him caused him to exercise all his self-control to avoid uttering a sharp exclamation.
villainousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪlənəs/
extremely wicked
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What he saw a few feet below him caused him to exercise all his self-control to avoid uttering a sharp exclamation.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Around a smoldering fire, above which hung an iron pot that emitted a savory odor, lay several men.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Swarthy Mexicans they were, with villainous countenances for the most part, although, to Jack’s astonishment, one of the party had a fair Saxon skin and reddish hair, which, with his blue eyes, made him seem oddly out of place in the midst of the dark-skinned, black-orbed group.
