used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
AdriannounUS /ˈeɪdriən/
Roman Emperor who was the adoptive son of Trajan; travelled throughout his empire to strengthen its frontiers and encourage learning and architecture; on a visit to Britain in 122 he ordered the construction of Hadrian's Wall (76-138)
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
ain't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, don’t worry, Billie,” Donald told him, “because they ain’t going to come down on us in the daytime.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading He handled his rifle nervously as he stared toward the point on the horizon, already growing dim as the day faded.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TO HAVE AND TO HOLD.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He handled his rifle nervously as he stared toward the point on the horizon, already growing dim as the day faded.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
for the reason that
From this reading “Well, don’t worry, Billie,” Donald told him, “because they ain’t going to come down on us in the daytime.
Billie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
chumnounUS /tʃʌm/
a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Well, don’t worry, Billie,” Donald told him, “because they ain’t going to come down on us in the daytime.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading He handled his rifle nervously as he stared toward the point on the horizon, already growing dim as the day faded.
daytimenounUS /ˈdeɪtaɪm/
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading “Well, don’t worry, Billie,” Donald told him, “because they ain’t going to come down on us in the daytime.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading He handled his rifle nervously as he stared toward the point on the horizon, already growing dim as the day faded.
doesn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, don’t worry, Billie,” Donald told him, “because they ain’t going to come down on us in the daytime.
Donald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, don’t worry, Billie,” Donald told him, “because they ain’t going to come down on us in the daytime.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading “Well, don’t worry, Billie,” Donald told him, “because they ain’t going to come down on us in the daytime.
remove the dust from
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
ejaculated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading He handled his rifle nervously as he stared toward the point on the horizon, already growing dim as the day faded.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
the act of departing
From this reading “Well, don’t worry, Billie,” Donald told him, “because they ain’t going to come down on us in the daytime.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading He handled his rifle nervously as he stared toward the point on the horizon, already growing dim as the day faded.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
handledadjectiveUS /ˈhændəld/
having a usually specified type of handle
From this reading He handled his rifle nervously as he stared toward the point on the horizon, already growing dim as the day faded.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
HAVEauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading TO HAVE AND TO HOLD.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Well, don’t worry, Billie,” Donald told him, “because they ain’t going to come down on us in the daytime.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He handled his rifle nervously as he stared toward the point on the horizon, already growing dim as the day faded.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading TO HAVE AND TO HOLD.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading He handled his rifle nervously as he stared toward the point on the horizon, already growing dim as the day faded.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
immediately past
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
nervouslyadverbUS /ˈnɜːrvəsli/
in an anxiously nervous manner
From this reading He handled his rifle nervously as he stared toward the point on the horizon, already growing dim as the day faded.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading He handled his rifle nervously as he stared toward the point on the horizon, already growing dim as the day faded.
possenounUS /ˈpɑːsi/
a temporary police force
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
one of four equal parts
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading He handled his rifle nervously as he stared toward the point on the horizon, already growing dim as the day faded.
rustlersnounUS /ˈrʌsələrz/
plural of “rustler” — someone who steals livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
sheriff'snounUS /ˈʃerəfs/
possessive form of “sheriff” — the principal law-enforcement officer in a county
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading He handled his rifle nervously as he stared toward the point on the horizon, already growing dim as the day faded.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Well, don’t worry, Billie,” Donald told him, “because they ain’t going to come down on us in the daytime.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TO HAVE AND TO HOLD.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading He handled his rifle nervously as he stared toward the point on the horizon, already growing dim as the day faded.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Well, don’t worry, Billie,” Donald told him, “because they ain’t going to come down on us in the daytime.
(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 “Well, don’t worry, Billie,” Donald told him, “because they ain’t going to come down on us in the daytime.
in or at the place that
From this reading “I can see dust over there,” Adrian hastened to remark, after he had taken a good look; “and it doesn’t seem to be in the quarter where Uncle Fred told me he expected to see the sheriff’s posse show up, sooner or later.”
which person or people
From this reading “Then that means it must be the rustlers coming!” ejaculated Billie, who had arrived in time to catch this last remark on the part of the other chum.
be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy
From this reading “Well, don’t worry, Billie,” Donald told him, “because they ain’t going to come down on us in the daytime.
