a-tumbling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You had better be a-tumbling, for I can’t hold on to this barker much longer.”
actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/
plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
barkernounUS /ˈbɑːrkər/
someone who stands in front of a show (as at a carnival) and gives a loud colorful sales talk to potential customers
From this reading “You had better be a-tumbling, for I can’t hold on to this barker much longer.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “You had better be a-tumbling, for I can’t hold on to this barker much longer.”
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
blankadjectiveUS /blæŋk/
(of a surface) not written or printed on
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You had better be a-tumbling, for I can’t hold on to this barker much longer.”
go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
confoundedadjectiveUS /kənˈfaʊndɪd/
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
without stop or interruption
From this reading “You heard me, pard,” continued the ranchman, seeing that Oscar did not move.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/
a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
give expression to
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
feeblyadverbUS /ˈfiːbli/
in a faint and feeble manner
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “You had better be a-tumbling, for I can’t hold on to this barker much longer.”
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “You had better be a-tumbling, for I can’t hold on to this barker much longer.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading “You heard me, pard,” continued the ranchman, seeing that Oscar did not move.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading “You had better be a-tumbling, for I can’t hold on to this barker much longer.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “You had better be a-tumbling, for I can’t hold on to this barker much longer.”
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
for more time
From this reading “You had better be a-tumbling, for I can’t hold on to this barker much longer.”
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “You heard me, pard,” continued the ranchman, seeing that Oscar did not move.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “You heard me, pard,” continued the ranchman, seeing that Oscar did not move.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “You had better be a-tumbling, for I can’t hold on to this barker much longer.”
MULEnounUS /mjuːl/
hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; usually sterile
From this reading THE STOLEN MULE.
not any; not one
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “You heard me, pard,” continued the ranchman, seeing that Oscar did not move.
obeyingverbUS /oʊˈbeɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “You had better be a-tumbling, for I can’t hold on to this barker much longer.”
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
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 To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
pard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You heard me, pard,” continued the ranchman, seeing that Oscar did not move.
ranchman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You heard me, pard,” continued the ranchman, seeing that Oscar did not move.
ranchman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
express in words
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading “You heard me, pard,” continued the ranchman, seeing that Oscar did not move.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent
From this reading THE STOLEN MULE.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STOLEN MULE.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “You had better be a-tumbling, for I can’t hold on to this barker much longer.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
belonging to which person
From this reading He was utterly confounded; and, instead of obeying the order to “climb down,” he looked toward his guide, whose blank expression of countenance showed that he understood the matter no better than his employer did.
the words that are spoken
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To say that Oscar was astonished at the ranchman’s words and actions would but feebly express his feelings.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You heard me, pard,” continued the ranchman, seeing that Oscar did not move.
