used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading PICKING OUT A PONY.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Standing in front of the door of the colonel’s head-quarters was a sleepy-looking sorrel pony, saddled and bridled.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
a youthful male person
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
the act of breaking something
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
bridledverbUS /ˈbraɪdəld/
past form of “bridle” — anger or take offense
From this reading Standing in front of the door of the colonel’s head-quarters was a sleepy-looking sorrel pony, saddled and bridled.
lacking funds
From this reading Oscar watched him as long as he remained in view, and then broke out into a cheery laugh, in which the colonel heartily joined.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
cavalrynounUS /ˈkævəlri/
troops trained to fight on horseback
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
cheeryadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪri/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Oscar watched him as long as he remained in view, and then broke out into a cheery laugh, in which the colonel heartily joined.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading Oscar watched him as long as he remained in view, and then broke out into a cheery laugh, in which the colonel heartily joined.
colonel'snounUS /ˈkɜːrnəlz/
possessive form of “colonel” — a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading Standing in front of the door of the colonel’s head-quarters was a sleepy-looking sorrel pony, saddled and bridled.
contrastedverbUS /kənˈtræstəd/
past form of “contrast” — put in opposition to show or emphasize differences
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
diminutiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnjətɪv/
very small
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
dismounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Standing in front of the door of the colonel’s head-quarters was a sleepy-looking sorrel pony, saddled and bridled.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
fellow'snounUS /ˈfeloʊz/
possessive form of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Standing in front of the door of the colonel’s head-quarters was a sleepy-looking sorrel pony, saddled and bridled.
gallopverbUS /ˈɡæləp/
ride at a galloping pace
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
head-quarters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing in front of the door of the colonel’s head-quarters was a sleepy-looking sorrel pony, saddled and bridled.
with gusto and without reservation
From this reading Oscar watched him as long as he remained in view, and then broke out into a cheery laugh, in which the colonel heartily joined.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Oscar watched him as long as he remained in view, and then broke out into a cheery laugh, in which the colonel heartily joined.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Standing in front of the door of the colonel’s head-quarters was a sleepy-looking sorrel pony, saddled and bridled.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading Oscar watched him as long as he remained in view, and then broke out into a cheery laugh, in which the colonel heartily joined.
and nothing more
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Oscar watched him as long as he remained in view, and then broke out into a cheery laugh, in which the colonel heartily joined.
staying power
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
loadnounUS /loʊd/
weight to be borne or conveyed
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Oscar watched him as long as he remained in view, and then broke out into a cheery laugh, in which the colonel heartily joined.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Standing in front of the door of the colonel’s head-quarters was a sleepy-looking sorrel pony, saddled and bridled.
on one occasion
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
orderlynounUS /ˈɔːrdərli/
a soldier who serves as an attendant to a superior officer
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
OscarnounUS /ˈɔːskər/
an annual award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievements in motion picture production and performance
From this reading Oscar watched him as long as he remained in view, and then broke out into a cheery laugh, in which the colonel heartily joined.
Oscar'snounUS /ˈɔːskərz/
possessive form of “oscar” — an annual award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievements in motion picture production and performance
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading PICKING OUT A PONY.
PICKINGnounUS /ˈpɪkɪŋ/
the quantity of a crop that is harvested
From this reading PICKING OUT A PONY.
PONYnounUS /ˈpoʊniː/
a range horse of the western United States
From this reading PICKING OUT A PONY.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Oscar watched him as long as he remained in view, and then broke out into a cheery laugh, in which the colonel heartily joined.
ridernounUS /ˈraɪdər/
a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
put a saddle on
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
saddledadjectiveUS /ˈsædəld/
having a saddle on or being mounted on a saddled animal
From this reading Standing in front of the door of the colonel’s head-quarters was a sleepy-looking sorrel pony, saddled and bridled.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
sleepyadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpi/
ready to fall asleep
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
sleepy-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing in front of the door of the colonel’s head-quarters was a sleepy-looking sorrel pony, saddled and bridled.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
sorreladjectiveUS /ˈsɔːrəl/
of a light brownish color
From this reading Standing in front of the door of the colonel’s head-quarters was a sleepy-looking sorrel pony, saddled and bridled.
having a supporting base
From this reading Standing in front of the door of the colonel’s head-quarters was a sleepy-looking sorrel pony, saddled and bridled.
successive (without a break)
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Standing in front of the door of the colonel’s head-quarters was a sleepy-looking sorrel pony, saddled and bridled.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Oscar watched him as long as he remained in view, and then broke out into a cheery laugh, in which the colonel heartily joined.
ThompsonnounUS /ˈtɑːmpsən/
United States classical archaeologist (born in Canada) noted for leading the excavation of the Athenian agora (1906-2000)
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
twelve-year-old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
vaultedadjectiveUS /ˈvɔːltɪd/
having a hemispherical vault or dome
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
precisely as stated
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Oscar watched him as long as he remained in view, and then broke out into a cheery laugh, in which the colonel heartily joined.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Standing in front of the door of the colonel’s head-quarters was a sleepy-looking sorrel pony, saddled and bridled.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Oscar watched him as long as he remained in view, and then broke out into a cheery laugh, in which the colonel heartily joined.
at the time that
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
whereupon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to Oscar’s great surprise Big Thompson walked straight up to the pony and vaulted into the saddle, whereupon the little fellow’s head came up, his sleepy eyes opened, and, breaking at once into a gallop, he carried his heavy rider through the gate and down the hill out of sight.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He looked very diminutive when contrasted with the heavy cavalry horse from which an orderly had just dismounted, and so light was his body and so slender his legs that it seemed as if an ordinary twelve-year-old boy would prove as heavy a load as he was able to carry.
