Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

deserving of the highest esteem or admiration

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading They had retreated into the mountains, along a trail that only the most hardy could follow.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

the event of one object coming closer to another

From this reading From there they shot at the approaching troopers and cowboys.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading They had retreated into the mountains, along a trail that only the most hardy could follow.

plural of “cowboy” — a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

beaten or overcome; not victorious

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

place under suspicion or cast doubt upon

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

at any time

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

plural of “fighter” — someone who fights (or is fighting)

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading They had retreated into the mountains, along a trail that only the most hardy could follow.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

a fortified defensive structure

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading They had retreated into the mountains, along a trail that only the most hardy could follow.

past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading They had retreated into the mountains, along a trail that only the most hardy could follow.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

immediately past

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

engage in

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

used to form the superlative

From this reading They had retreated into the mountains, along a trail that only the most hardy could follow.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading They had retreated into the mountains, along a trail that only the most hardy could follow.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

a sheltered and secluded place

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

on one occasion

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

and nothing more

From this reading They had retreated into the mountains, along a trail that only the most hardy could follow.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

plural of “pursuer” — a person who is pursuing and trying to overtake or capture

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

any red eruption of the skin

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

plural of “rescuer” — a person who rescues you from harm or danger

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

people who have retreated

From this reading They had retreated into the mountains, along a trail that only the most hardy could follow.

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

widely cultivated for its fragrant grey-green leaves used in cooking and in perfumery

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading From there they shot at the approaching troopers and cowboys.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

be standing; be upright

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

in or at that place or location

From this reading From there they shot at the approaching troopers and cowboys.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They had retreated into the mountains, along a trail that only the most hardy could follow.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading They had retreated into the mountains, along a trail that only the most hardy could follow.

plural of “trooper” — a soldier in a motorized army unit

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

in essence or effect but not in fact

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

(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 THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Then, finding, as they doubtless did, that their pursuers were ever at their heels, they hastened to what was, virtually, a natural fortress--a nook among the rocky walls of the defile.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The latter would have been defeated almost at once for the Indians had picked out an admirable place in which to make their last stand.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE RUSE OF ROSEMARY Well it was that a body of fighters with the experience of the United States troopers and the cowboys from Diamond X ranch went up against the Yaquis, and not some brave but rash band of rescuers.