used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Wanderings on the prairie_--_A war party_--_Chased by Indians_--_A bold leap for life_.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading One night they halted near the bed of a stream which was almost dry.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
avoidedverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪd/
past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
bandsnounUS /bændz/
plural of “band” — an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading One night they halted near the bed of a stream which was almost dry.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
fearless and daring
From this reading _Wanderings on the prairie_--_A war party_--_Chased by Indians_--_A bold leap for life_.
buffalonounUS /ˈbʌfəloʊ/
large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading _Wanderings on the prairie_--_A war party_--_Chased by Indians_--_A bold leap for life_.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
ChasednounUS /tʃeɪst/
a person who is being chased
From this reading _Wanderings on the prairie_--_A war party_--_Chased by Indians_--_A bold leap for life_.
civiladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
prepare a hot meal
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
deernounUS /dɪr/
distinguished from Bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading One night they halted near the bed of a stream which was almost dry.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
fearingverbUS /ˈfɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
start firing a weapon
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _Wanderings on the prairie_--_A war party_--_Chased by Indians_--_A bold leap for life_.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
an established custom
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading One night they halted near the bed of a stream which was almost dry.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
herdsnounUS /hɜːrdz/
plural of “herd” — a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
huntersnounUS /ˈhʌntərz/
plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading _Wanderings on the prairie_--_A war party_--_Chased by Indians_--_A bold leap for life_.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
isolatedadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsəleɪtəd/
not close together in time
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
leapnounUS /liːp/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading _Wanderings on the prairie_--_A war party_--_Chased by Indians_--_A bold leap for life_.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading _Wanderings on the prairie_--_A war party_--_Chased by Indians_--_A bold leap for life_.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
the force of workers available
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading One night they halted near the bed of a stream which was almost dry.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _Wanderings on the prairie_--_A war party_--_Chased by Indians_--_A bold leap for life_.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading _Wanderings on the prairie_--_A war party_--_Chased by Indians_--_A bold leap for life_.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading _Wanderings on the prairie_--_A war party_--_Chased by Indians_--_A bold leap for life_.
prowlingverbUS /ˈpraʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “prowl” — move about in or as if in a predatory manner
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
cut with a saw
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
SiouxnounUS /suː/
a member of a group of North American Indian peoples who spoke a Siouan language and who ranged from Lake Michigan to the Rocky Mountains
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading One night they halted near the bed of a stream which was almost dry.
suppliedverbUS /səˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “supply” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Wanderings on the prairie_--_A war party_--_Chased by Indians_--_A bold leap for life_.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
tracklessadjective
having no tracks
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
treatmentnounUS /ˈtriːtmənt/
care provided to improve a situation (especially medical procedures or applications that are intended to relieve illness or injury)
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
WanderingsnounUS /ˈwɑːndərɪŋz/
plural of “wandering” — travelling about without any clear destination
From this reading _Wanderings on the prairie_--_A war party_--_Chased by Indians_--_A bold leap for life_.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading _Wanderings on the prairie_--_A war party_--_Chased by Indians_--_A bold leap for life_.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One night they halted near the bed of a stream which was almost dry.
(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 During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For many days the three hunters wandered over the trackless prairie in search of a village of the Sioux Indians, but failed to find one, for the Indians were in the habit of shifting their ground and following the buffalo.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading One night they halted near the bed of a stream which was almost dry.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
a Caucasian
From this reading Several times they saw small isolated bands of Indians; but these they carefully avoided, fearing they might turn out to be war parties, and if they fell into their hands the white men could not expect civil treatment, whatever nation the Indians might belong to.
in the company of; together with
From this reading During the greater portion of this time they met with numerous herds of buffalo and deer, and were well supplied with food; but they had to cook it during the day, being afraid to light a fire at night while Indians were prowling about.
