used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading So, when the last march was begun, the animals were driven at an angle, avoiding all the pits and defenses of the cowmen's ingenuity.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So, when the last march was begun, the animals were driven at an angle, avoiding all the pits and defenses of the cowmen's ingenuity.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
anglenounUS /ˈæŋɡəl/
the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
From this reading So, when the last march was begun, the animals were driven at an angle, avoiding all the pits and defenses of the cowmen's ingenuity.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading So, when the last march was begun, the animals were driven at an angle, avoiding all the pits and defenses of the cowmen's ingenuity.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The bells had been removed and the sheep were urged forward at the fastest possible pace.
avoidingverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading So, when the last march was begun, the animals were driven at an angle, avoiding all the pits and defenses of the cowmen's ingenuity.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The bells had been removed and the sheep were urged forward at the fastest possible pace.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading So, when the last march was begun, the animals were driven at an angle, avoiding all the pits and defenses of the cowmen's ingenuity.
bellsnounUS /belz/
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The bells had been removed and the sheep were urged forward at the fastest possible pace.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
cowmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
cowmen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, when the last march was begun, the animals were driven at an angle, avoiding all the pits and defenses of the cowmen's ingenuity.
travel across or pass over
From this reading It was here that it had been determined the sheep should cross.
traveling across
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
defensesnounUS /dɪˈfensəz/
plural of “defense” — (military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
From this reading So, when the last march was begun, the animals were driven at an angle, avoiding all the pits and defenses of the cowmen's ingenuity.
characterized by great determination
From this reading It was here that it had been determined the sheep should cross.
detoursnounUS /dɪˈtʊrz/
plural of “detour” — a roundabout road (especially one that is used temporarily while a main route is blocked)
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading So, when the last march was begun, the animals were driven at an angle, avoiding all the pits and defenses of the cowmen's ingenuity.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
fastestadverbUS /ˈfæstəst/
most quickly
From this reading The bells had been removed and the sheep were urged forward at the fastest possible pace.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
flocksnounUS /flɑːks/
plural of “flock” — a church congregation guided by a pastor
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading The bells had been removed and the sheep were urged forward at the fastest possible pace.
set up or found
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
the act of departing
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
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 THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading It was here that it had been determined the sheep should cross.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
ingenuitynounUS /ˌɪndʒəˈnuːətiː/
the power of creative imagination
From this reading So, when the last march was begun, the animals were driven at an angle, avoiding all the pits and defenses of the cowmen's ingenuity.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was here that it had been determined the sheep should cross.
Larkin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
immediately past
From this reading So, when the last march was begun, the animals were driven at an angle, avoiding all the pits and defenses of the cowmen's ingenuity.
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 Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
march in a procession
From this reading So, when the last march was begun, the animals were driven at an angle, avoiding all the pits and defenses of the cowmen's ingenuity.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading The bells had been removed and the sheep were urged forward at the fastest possible pace.
pitsnounUS /pɪts/
plural of “pit” — a sizeable hole (usually in the ground)
From this reading So, when the last march was begun, the animals were driven at an angle, avoiding all the pits and defenses of the cowmen's ingenuity.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading The bells had been removed and the sheep were urged forward at the fastest possible pace.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading The bells had been removed and the sheep were urged forward at the fastest possible pace.
RidersnounUS /ˈraɪdərz/
plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
only a very short time before
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading The bells had been removed and the sheep were urged forward at the fastest possible pace.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was here that it had been determined the sheep should cross.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So, when the last march was begun, the animals were driven at an angle, avoiding all the pits and defenses of the cowmen's ingenuity.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
swiftnessnounUS /ˈswɪftnəs/
a rate (usually rapid) at which something happens
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was here that it had been determined the sheep should cross.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading The bells had been removed and the sheep were urged forward at the fastest possible pace.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
at the time that
From this reading THE CROSSING Darkness had scarcely fallen over the Larkin flocks and herd when the former were set in motion.
in or at the place that
From this reading Riders going by long detours had found a spot on the banks of the river two miles up from the camp of the cowmen where the water was not more than five or six feet deep at most, though of considerable swiftness.
