used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading "The Ranger will be able to tell whether the sheep have passed down the Ridge," she explained.
AlpineadjectiveUS /ˈælpaɪn/
relating to or characteristic of alps
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The old man caught the light on her face as she spoke the name.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "The Ranger will be able to tell whether the sheep have passed down the Ridge," she explained.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
betraysverbUS /bɪˈtreɪz/
third-person singular of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading WHILE LAW MARKS TIME, CRIME SCORES They did not tell the boy's mother.
brakenounUS /breɪk/
a restraint used to slow or stop a vehicle
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
bronchos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
buckboardnoun
an open horse-drawn carriage with four wheels; has a seat attached to a flexible board between the two axles
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The old man caught the light on her face as she spoke the name.
commentnounUS /ˈkɑːment/
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
prepare a hot meal
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading WHILE LAW MARKS TIME, CRIME SCORES They did not tell the boy's mother.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
diamondnounUS /ˈdaɪmənd/
a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading WHILE LAW MARKS TIME, CRIME SCORES They did not tell the boy's mother.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "The Ranger will be able to tell whether the sheep have passed down the Ridge," she explained.
apart from; not including
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading "The Ranger will be able to tell whether the sheep have passed down the Ridge," she explained.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The old man caught the light on her face as she spoke the name.
fastestadverbUS /ˈfæstəst/
most quickly
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
flourishingadjectiveUS /ˈflɜːrɪʃɪŋ/
very lively and profitable
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
frontiersmannoun
a man who lives on the frontier
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
a person of German nationality
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "The Ranger will be able to tell whether the sheep have passed down the Ridge," she explained.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The old man caught the light on her face as she spoke the name.
hitchedverbUS /hɪtʃt/
past form of “hitch” — to hook or entangle
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading WHILE LAW MARKS TIME, CRIME SCORES They did not tell the boy's mother.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The old man caught the light on her face as she spoke the name.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The old man caught the light on her face as she spoke the name.
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading WHILE LAW MARKS TIME, CRIME SCORES They did not tell the boy's mother.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading WHILE LAW MARKS TIME, CRIME SCORES They did not tell the boy's mother.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The old man caught the light on her face as she spoke the name.
not any; not one
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading WHILE LAW MARKS TIME, CRIME SCORES They did not tell the boy's mother.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The old man caught the light on her face as she spoke the name.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
ParlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading "The Ranger will be able to tell whether the sheep have passed down the Ridge," she explained.
poniesnounUS /ˈpoʊniz/
plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
RangernounUS /ˈreɪndʒər/
a member of the Texas state highway patrol; formerly a mounted lawman who maintained order on the frontier
From this reading "The Ranger will be able to tell whether the sheep have passed down the Ridge," she explained.
reinsnounUS /reɪnz/
plural of “rein” — one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
RidgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
scintillanounUS /sɪnˈtɪlə/
a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
SCORESnounUS /skɔːrz/
a large number or amount
From this reading WHILE LAW MARKS TIME, CRIME SCORES They did not tell the boy's mother.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "The Ranger will be able to tell whether the sheep have passed down the Ridge," she explained.
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading "The Ranger will be able to tell whether the sheep have passed down the Ridge," she explained.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading The old man caught the light on her face as she spoke the name.
express in words
From this reading WHILE LAW MARKS TIME, CRIME SCORES They did not tell the boy's mother.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHILE LAW MARKS TIME, CRIME SCORES They did not tell the boy's mother.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading WHILE LAW MARKS TIME, CRIME SCORES They did not tell the boy's mother.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading WHILE LAW MARKS TIME, CRIME SCORES They did not tell the boy's mother.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was like the flash in the dark that betrays a diamond, or the scintilla of light through the leaves that tells of an Alpine lake; but he made no comment except to the ponies.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading "The Ranger will be able to tell whether the sheep have passed down the Ridge," she explained.
WHILEconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading WHILE LAW MARKS TIME, CRIME SCORES They did not tell the boy's mother.
whiskedverbUS /wɪskt/
past form of “whisk” — move somewhere quickly
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "The Ranger will be able to tell whether the sheep have passed down the Ridge," she explained.
WilliamsnounUS /ˈwɪljəmz/
United States country singer and songwriter (1923-1953)
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The German cook hitched the fastest bronchos to the yellow buckboard with the front wheel brake; and, the old frontiersman flourishing the reins, they had whisked off for the Ridge trail before Mrs. Williams could return to the Mission Parlor.
