used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading But, instead of heading it off and driving it back, he so manoeuvred that he contrived to get it around the hill behind which he had seen Conrad disappear.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
Bancroft's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading But, instead of heading it off and driving it back, he so manoeuvred that he contrived to get it around the hill behind which he had seen Conrad disappear.
BREADTHnounUS /bredθ/
the capacity to understand a broad range of topics
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
lacking funds
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading The superintendent was digging busily in the ground with his pocket-knife, having decided to take up the plant and leave it in the house in readiness for his return journey.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, instead of heading it off and driving it back, he so manoeuvred that he contrived to get it around the hill behind which he had seen Conrad disappear.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
cactusnounUS /ˈkæktəs/
any succulent plant of the family Cactaceae native chiefly to arid regions of the New World and usually having spines
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
ConradnounUS /ˈkɑːnræd/
English novelist (born in Poland) noted for sea stories and for his narrative technique (1857-1924)
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
contrivedadjectiveUS /kənˈtraɪvd/
showing effects of planning or manipulation
From this reading But, instead of heading it off and driving it back, he so manoeuvred that he contrived to get it around the hill behind which he had seen Conrad disappear.
CurtisnounUS /ˈkɜːrtəs/
English botanical writer and publisher (1746-1799)
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
having gaps or spaces
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
recognizable; marked
From this reading The superintendent was digging busily in the ground with his pocket-knife, having decided to take up the plant and leave it in the house in readiness for his return journey.
diggingnounUS /ˈdɪɡɪŋ/
the act of digging
From this reading The superintendent was digging busily in the ground with his pocket-knife, having decided to take up the plant and leave it in the house in readiness for his return journey.
disappearverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪr/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading But, instead of heading it off and driving it back, he so manoeuvred that he contrived to get it around the hill behind which he had seen Conrad disappear.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading But, instead of heading it off and driving it back, he so manoeuvred that he contrived to get it around the hill behind which he had seen Conrad disappear.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
in a gradual manner
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But, instead of heading it off and driving it back, he so manoeuvred that he contrived to get it around the hill behind which he had seen Conrad disappear.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
Gonzalez
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The superintendent was digging busily in the ground with his pocket-knife, having decided to take up the plant and leave it in the house in readiness for his return journey.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But, instead of heading it off and driving it back, he so manoeuvred that he contrived to get it around the hill behind which he had seen Conrad disappear.
HAIR'SnounUS /herz/
possessive form of “hair” — a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
headingnounUS /ˈhedɪŋ/
a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about
From this reading But, instead of heading it off and driving it back, he so manoeuvred that he contrived to get it around the hill behind which he had seen Conrad disappear.
herdnounUS /hɜːrd/
a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
homewardadverbUS /ˈhoʊmwərd/
toward home
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The superintendent was digging busily in the ground with his pocket-knife, having decided to take up the plant and leave it in the house in readiness for his return journey.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading But, instead of heading it off and driving it back, he so manoeuvred that he contrived to get it around the hill behind which he had seen Conrad disappear.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
Jose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading The superintendent was digging busily in the ground with his pocket-knife, having decided to take up the plant and leave it in the house in readiness for his return journey.
go away from a place
From this reading The superintendent was digging busily in the ground with his pocket-knife, having decided to take up the plant and leave it in the house in readiness for his return journey.
incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
engage in
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
manoeuvred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, instead of heading it off and driving it back, he so manoeuvred that he contrived to get it around the hill behind which he had seen Conrad disappear.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
northeastnounUS /ˌnɔːrˈθiːst/
the compass point midway between north and east; at 45 degrees
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But, instead of heading it off and driving it back, he so manoeuvred that he contrived to get it around the hill behind which he had seen Conrad disappear.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
outfitnounUS /ˈaʊtfɪt/
any cohesive unit such as a military company
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
go across or through
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
plantverbUS /plænt/
put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground
From this reading The superintendent was digging busily in the ground with his pocket-knife, having decided to take up the plant and leave it in the house in readiness for his return journey.
pocket-knife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The superintendent was digging busily in the ground with his pocket-knife, having decided to take up the plant and leave it in the house in readiness for his return journey.
in the near future
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
on the contrary
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading The superintendent was digging busily in the ground with his pocket-knife, having decided to take up the plant and leave it in the house in readiness for his return journey.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The superintendent was digging busily in the ground with his pocket-knife, having decided to take up the plant and leave it in the house in readiness for his return journey.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
get by special effort
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
slopingadjectiveUS /ˈsloʊpɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But, instead of heading it off and driving it back, he so manoeuvred that he contrived to get it around the hill behind which he had seen Conrad disappear.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
specimennounUS /ˈspesəmən/
an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
steerverbUS /stɪr/
direct the course; determine the direction of travelling
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
superintendentnounUS /ˌsuːpərənˈtendənt/
a person who directs and manages an organization
From this reading The superintendent was digging busily in the ground with his pocket-knife, having decided to take up the plant and leave it in the house in readiness for his return journey.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
carry out
From this reading The superintendent was digging busily in the ground with his pocket-knife, having decided to take up the plant and leave it in the house in readiness for his return journey.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
uncommonadjectiveUS /ənˈkɑːmən/
not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The superintendent was digging busily in the ground with his pocket-knife, having decided to take up the plant and leave it in the house in readiness for his return journey.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading BY A HAIR'S BREADTH Curtis Conrad rode to the farther side of a hill sloping gently northeast of the houses as the outfit was getting under way the next morning.
at the time that
From this reading He remembered having seen there a rather uncommon species of cactus, and he thought to make sure of it in order to secure a specimen for Lucy Bancroft's collection when next he should pass that way on a homeward trip.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But, instead of heading it off and driving it back, he so manoeuvred that he contrived to get it around the hill behind which he had seen Conrad disappear.
which person or people
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
wildlyadverbUS /ˈwaɪldli/
to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree
From this reading Jose Gonzalez noted his action and presently, when a steer broke wildly from the herd and ran back, it was Jose who dashed after it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The superintendent was digging busily in the ground with his pocket-knife, having decided to take up the plant and leave it in the house in readiness for his return journey.
