used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This wasn't alone a safety measure, for he wished to favor his horse.
at or in the front
From this reading The dun had been hard ridden in the spurt to gain the mountains ahead of the posse.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading This wasn't alone a safety measure, for he wished to favor his horse.
in addition
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S PLIGHT Riding slowly Rathburn kept well in toward the range and proceeded cautiously.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The dun had been hard ridden in the spurt to gain the mountains ahead of the posse.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S PLIGHT Riding slowly Rathburn kept well in toward the range and proceeded cautiously.
cigarettesnounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈets/
plural of “cigarette” — finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
cinchnounUS /sɪntʃ/
any undertaking that is easy to do
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
dunnounUS /dʌn/
horse of a dull brownish grey color
From this reading The dun had been hard ridden in the spurt to gain the mountains ahead of the posse.
promote over another
From this reading This wasn't alone a safety measure, for he wished to favor his horse.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This wasn't alone a safety measure, for he wished to favor his horse.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
obtain
From this reading The dun had been hard ridden in the spurt to gain the mountains ahead of the posse.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The dun had been hard ridden in the spurt to gain the mountains ahead of the posse.
haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The dun had been hard ridden in the spurt to gain the mountains ahead of the posse.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This wasn't alone a safety measure, for he wished to favor his horse.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This wasn't alone a safety measure, for he wished to favor his horse.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading This wasn't alone a safety measure, for he wished to favor his horse.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S PLIGHT Riding slowly Rathburn kept well in toward the range and proceeded cautiously.
innumerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnuːmərəbəl/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S PLIGHT Riding slowly Rathburn kept well in toward the range and proceeded cautiously.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
loosenedadjectiveUS /ˈluːsənd/
straightened out
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
Mallory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading This wasn't alone a safety measure, for he wished to favor his horse.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The dun had been hard ridden in the spurt to gain the mountains ahead of the posse.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The dun had been hard ridden in the spurt to gain the mountains ahead of the posse.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
PLIGHTnounUS /plaɪt/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S PLIGHT Riding slowly Rathburn kept well in toward the range and proceeded cautiously.
possenounUS /ˈpɑːsi/
a temporary police force
From this reading The dun had been hard ridden in the spurt to gain the mountains ahead of the posse.
Price'snounUS /ˈpraɪsɪz/
possessive form of “price” — the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S PLIGHT Riding slowly Rathburn kept well in toward the range and proceeded cautiously.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S PLIGHT Riding slowly Rathburn kept well in toward the range and proceeded cautiously.
Rathburn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S PLIGHT Riding slowly Rathburn kept well in toward the range and proceeded cautiously.
reclinedverbUS /rɪˈklaɪnd/
past form of “recline” — move the upper body backwards and down
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
riddenverbUS /ˈrɪdən/
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading The dun had been hard ridden in the spurt to gain the mountains ahead of the posse.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S PLIGHT Riding slowly Rathburn kept well in toward the range and proceeded cautiously.
put a saddle on
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading This wasn't alone a safety measure, for he wished to favor his horse.
scantadjectiveUS /skænt/
less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
SHERIFF'SnounUS /ˈʃerəfs/
possessive form of “sheriff” — the principal law-enforcement officer in a county
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S PLIGHT Riding slowly Rathburn kept well in toward the range and proceeded cautiously.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S PLIGHT Riding slowly Rathburn kept well in toward the range and proceeded cautiously.
smokedadjectiveUS /smoʊkt/
(used especially of meats and fish) dried and cured by hanging in wood smoke
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
spurtverbUS /spɜːrt/
gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
From this reading The dun had been hard ridden in the spurt to gain the mountains ahead of the posse.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S PLIGHT Riding slowly Rathburn kept well in toward the range and proceeded cautiously.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This wasn't alone a safety measure, for he wished to favor his horse.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This wasn't alone a safety measure, for he wished to favor his horse.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading THE SHERIFF'S PLIGHT Riding slowly Rathburn kept well in toward the range and proceeded cautiously.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading He had been rested at Price's cabin, to be sure, and also at the Mallory ranch; but now Rathburn had a ride of fifteen miles to the town of Hope, and he did not know how much riding he might have to do next day.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This wasn't alone a safety measure, for he wished to favor his horse.
(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 SHERIFF'S PLIGHT Riding slowly Rathburn kept well in toward the range and proceeded cautiously.
at the time that
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading When a scant three miles from Hope, he halted, loosened the saddle cinch, and rested his horse, while he himself reclined on the ground and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading This wasn't alone a safety measure, for he wished to favor his horse.
