used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
antlersnounUS /ˈæntlərz/
plural of “antler” — deciduous horn of a member of the deer family
From this reading By this means he placed the stock directly beneath the two weapons resting on the deer antlers.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
BendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading By this means he placed the stock directly beneath the two weapons resting on the deer antlers.
the two together, not just one
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By this means he placed the stock directly beneath the two weapons resting on the deer antlers.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
rid of obstructions
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
cracklingnounUS /ˈkræklɪŋ/
the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
distinguished from Bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers
From this reading By this means he placed the stock directly beneath the two weapons resting on the deer antlers.
deftnessnoun
skillful performance or ability without difficulty
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
without deviation
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
flirtedverbUS /ˈflɜːrtɪd/
past form of “flirt” — talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
in a gradual manner
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
graspedverbUS /ɡræspt/
past form of “grasp” — hold firmly
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
only a very short time before
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading JUST IN TIME.
injuringverbUS /ˈɪndʒərɪŋ/
-ing form of “injure” — cause injuries or bodily harm to
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
and nothing more
From this reading JUST IN TIME.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
held up in the air
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
loweringadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərɪŋ/
darkened by clouds
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading By this means he placed the stock directly beneath the two weapons resting on the deer antlers.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
muzzlenounUS /ˈmʌzəl/
the open circular discharging end of a gun
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading By this means he placed the stock directly beneath the two weapons resting on the deer antlers.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading By this means he placed the stock directly beneath the two weapons resting on the deer antlers.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading By this means he placed the stock directly beneath the two weapons resting on the deer antlers.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading By this means he placed the stock directly beneath the two weapons resting on the deer antlers.
stocksnounUS /stɑːks/
a frame that supports a boat while it is under construction
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
TexannounUS /ˈteksən/
a native or resident of Texas
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading By this means he placed the stock directly beneath the two weapons resting on the deer antlers.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading JUST IN TIME.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading By this means he placed the stock directly beneath the two weapons resting on the deer antlers.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/
plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading By this means he placed the stock directly beneath the two weapons resting on the deer antlers.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
at the time that
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
WinchesternounUS /ˈwɪntʃestər/
a city in southern England; administrative center of Hampshire
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading He might have flirted them free by a single quick movement and let them fall upon the floor; but he wished to avoid this, since he ran the risk of injuring them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Bending as closely to the floor of the cabin as he could, the Texan advanced until directly in front of the crackling fire, when he reached up with his Winchester, which was grasped near the muzzle.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading With a deftness that would hardly have been expected, he raised both guns until their stocks were lifted clear off their support, when he began gently lowering them, so as to bring them within his reach.
