Chapter XVIII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms

From this reading At the door of the shed the loaded mules and the saddled horses were held by two or three Indians armed with guns and sabres.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Behind the young man, five or six Indians, his servants, with their guns at their shoulders, ready to fire.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Behind the young man, five or six Indians, his servants, with their guns at their shoulders, ready to fire.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

demanding attention

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading At the door of the shed the loaded mules and the saddled horses were held by two or three Indians armed with guns and sabres.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

opinion or judgment

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Behind the young man, five or six Indians, his servants, with their guns at their shoulders, ready to fire.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Behind the young man, five or six Indians, his servants, with their guns at their shoulders, ready to fire.

moving swiftly

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

a feeling of intense anger

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

making gestures while speaking

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading Behind the young man, five or six Indians, his servants, with their guns at their shoulders, ready to fire.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading At the door of the shed the loaded mules and the saddled horses were held by two or three Indians armed with guns and sabres.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading At the door of the shed the loaded mules and the saddled horses were held by two or three Indians armed with guns and sabres.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India

From this reading Behind the young man, five or six Indians, his servants, with their guns at their shoulders, ready to fire.

plural of “individual” — a human being

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

filled with a great quantity

From this reading At the door of the shed the loaded mules and the saddled horses were held by two or three Indians armed with guns and sabres.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Behind the young man, five or six Indians, his servants, with their guns at their shoulders, ready to fire.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

plural of “mule” — hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; usually sterile

From this reading At the door of the shed the loaded mules and the saddled horses were held by two or three Indians armed with guns and sabres.

held or filled or in use

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

an artist who paints

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

plural of “peon” — a laborer who is obliged to do menial work

From this reading THE PEONS.

a firearm that is held and fired with one hand

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

on the contrary

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading Behind the young man, five or six Indians, his servants, with their guns at their shoulders, ready to fire.

precisely, exactly

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

plural of “sabre” — a fencing sword with a v-shaped blade and a slightly curved handle

From this reading At the door of the shed the loaded mules and the saddled horses were held by two or three Indians armed with guns and sabres.

having a saddle on or being mounted on a saddled animal

From this reading At the door of the shed the loaded mules and the saddled horses were held by two or three Indians armed with guns and sabres.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading Behind the young man, five or six Indians, his servants, with their guns at their shoulders, ready to fire.

get rid of

From this reading At the door of the shed the loaded mules and the saddled horses were held by two or three Indians armed with guns and sabres.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading Behind the young man, five or six Indians, his servants, with their guns at their shoulders, ready to fire.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Behind the young man, five or six Indians, his servants, with their guns at their shoulders, ready to fire.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE PEONS.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Behind the young man, five or six Indians, his servants, with their guns at their shoulders, ready to fire.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading At the door of the shed the loaded mules and the saddled horses were held by two or three Indians armed with guns and sabres.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading At the door of the shed the loaded mules and the saddled horses were held by two or three Indians armed with guns and sabres.

not covered with clothing

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading A strange spectacle, and which he was certainly far from expecting, offered itself to his astonished eyes.

which person or people

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The platform, or rather the court situated before the rancho, was occupied by some twenty individuals, who were crying out and gesticulating with fury, and in the midst of whom was the painter, his head uncovered, his hair flying in the wind, his right foot placed on his gun, which had been thrown on the ground before him, and a pistol in each hand.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Behind the young man, five or six Indians, his servants, with their guns at their shoulders, ready to fire.