used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The velvet dark of the night in the arroyo had given place to a sickly saffron dawn.
anew
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
at or in the front
From this reading BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
alkalinounUS /ˈælkəlaɪ/
any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
(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 BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
arroyonounUS /ərˈɔɪoʊ/
a stream or brook
From this reading The velvet dark of the night in the arroyo had given place to a sickly saffron dawn.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
cut-way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The velvet dark of the night in the arroyo had given place to a sickly saffron dawn.
the first light of day
From this reading The velvet dark of the night in the arroyo had given place to a sickly saffron dawn.
dottedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːtəd/
having a pattern of dots
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
remove the dust from
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
fugitivesnounUS /ˈfjuːdʒɪtɪvz/
plural of “fugitive” — someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The velvet dark of the night in the arroyo had given place to a sickly saffron dawn.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "There they go, Wayland!
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
greasewoodnounUS /ˈɡriːswʊd/
low hardy much-branched spiny shrub common in alkaline soils of western America
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The velvet dark of the night in the arroyo had given place to a sickly saffron dawn.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
hoofnounUS /huːf/
the foot of an ungulate mammal
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
conformity or harmony
From this reading BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
become covered with mist
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The velvet dark of the night in the arroyo had given place to a sickly saffron dawn.
ochrenounUS /ˈoʊkər/
any of various earths containing silica and alumina and ferric oxide; used as a pigment
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The velvet dark of the night in the arroyo had given place to a sickly saffron dawn.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
outlawsnounUS /ˈaʊtlɔːz/
plural of “outlaw” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
pantingnounUS /ˈpæntɪŋ/
breathing heavily (as after exertion)
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The velvet dark of the night in the arroyo had given place to a sickly saffron dawn.
compacted by ironing
From this reading BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
printsnounUS /prɪnts/
plural of “print” — the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
recedingnounUS /rɪˈsiːdɪŋ/
a slow or gradual disappearance
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
ridersnounUS /ˈraɪdərz/
plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
saffronnounUS /ˈsæfrən/
Old World crocus having purple or white flowers with aromatic pungent orange stigmas used in flavoring food
From this reading The velvet dark of the night in the arroyo had given place to a sickly saffron dawn.
sagenounUS /seɪdʒ/
a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
sicklyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪkli/
unhealthy looking
From this reading The velvet dark of the night in the arroyo had given place to a sickly saffron dawn.
sinkverbUS /sɪŋk/
fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
swirlverbUS /swɜːrl/
turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "There they go, Wayland!
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The velvet dark of the night in the arroyo had given place to a sickly saffron dawn.
torridadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːrəd/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
tremulousadjectiveUS /ˈtremjələs/
(of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading The velvet dark of the night in the arroyo had given place to a sickly saffron dawn.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading BITTER WATERS But for all that the outlaws seemed hard pressed, they succeeded in keeping ahead.
waveringnounUS /ˈweɪvərɪŋ/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading The yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
WaylandnounUS /ˈweɪlənd/
(European mythology) a supernatural smith and king of the elves; identified with Norse Volund
From this reading "There they go, Wayland!
in or at the place that
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
widenedverbUS /ˈwaɪdənd/
past form of “widen” — become broader or wider or more extensive
From this reading Where the cut-way widened and lost itself in an alkali sink, the hoof prints of the fugitives' horses led out again to the open country of gray torrid earth dotted by sage brush and greasewood.
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 yellow sky met the ochre panting earth in a tremulous heat mist of wavering purple; and against that sky line, a swirl of dust marked the receding figures of the riders.
