used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
AccusationsnounUS /ˌækjəˈzeɪʃənz/
plural of “accusation” — a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He did not know that it was entirely by chance that MacNair had found him, an unwelcome sojourner at Fort Rae.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He did not know that it was entirely by chance that MacNair had found him, an unwelcome sojourner at Fort Rae.
aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He did not know that it was entirely by chance that MacNair had found him, an unwelcome sojourner at Fort Rae.
a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading The fact that MacNair had twice come upon him unexpectedly within the space of a month caused him grave concern.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading He did not know that it was entirely by chance that MacNair had found him, an unwelcome sojourner at Fort Rae.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The fact that MacNair had twice come upon him unexpectedly within the space of a month caused him grave concern.
something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading The fact that MacNair had twice come upon him unexpectedly within the space of a month caused him grave concern.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not know that it was entirely by chance that MacNair had found him, an unwelcome sojourner at Fort Rae.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He did not know that it was entirely by chance that MacNair had found him, an unwelcome sojourner at Fort Rae.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The fact that MacNair had twice come upon him unexpectedly within the space of a month caused him grave concern.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For Lapierre was troubled.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading He did not know that it was entirely by chance that MacNair had found him, an unwelcome sojourner at Fort Rae.
set up or found
From this reading He did not know that it was entirely by chance that MacNair had found him, an unwelcome sojourner at Fort Rae.
death of a person
From this reading The fact that MacNair had twice come upon him unexpectedly within the space of a month caused him grave concern.
a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The fact that MacNair had twice come upon him unexpectedly within the space of a month caused him grave concern.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The fact that MacNair had twice come upon him unexpectedly within the space of a month caused him grave concern.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
ignominiouslyadverb
in a dishonorable manner or to a dishonorable degree
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
inchnounUS /ɪntʃ/
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He did not know that it was entirely by chance that MacNair had found him, an unwelcome sojourner at Fort Rae.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He did not know that it was entirely by chance that MacNair had found him, an unwelcome sojourner at Fort Rae.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
Lapierre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
MacNair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact that MacNair had twice come upon him unexpectedly within the space of a month caused him grave concern.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
the force of workers available
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading The fact that MacNair had twice come upon him unexpectedly within the space of a month caused him grave concern.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not know that it was entirely by chance that MacNair had found him, an unwelcome sojourner at Fort Rae.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
pitchedadjectiveUS /pɪtʃt/
(of sound) set to a certain pitch or key; usually used as a combining form
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
ponderedverbUS /ˈpɑːndərd/
past form of “ponder” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
poundedverbUS /ˈpaʊndɪd/
past form of “pound” — hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
quarter-breed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
Rae
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not know that it was entirely by chance that MacNair had found him, an unwelcome sojourner at Fort Rae.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
recriminationsnounUS /rɪˌkrɪmɪˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “recrimination” — mutual accusations
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
sojournernounUS /ˈsoʊdʒərnər/
a temporary resident
From this reading He did not know that it was entirely by chance that MacNair had found him, an unwelcome sojourner at Fort Rae.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The fact that MacNair had twice come upon him unexpectedly within the space of a month caused him grave concern.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The fact that MacNair had twice come upon him unexpectedly within the space of a month caused him grave concern.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading For Lapierre was troubled.
two times
From this reading The fact that MacNair had twice come upon him unexpectedly within the space of a month caused him grave concern.
undisguisedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪsˈɡaɪzd/
plain to see
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading The fact that MacNair had twice come upon him unexpectedly within the space of a month caused him grave concern.
unwelcomeadjectiveUS /ənˈwelkəm/
not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure
From this reading He did not know that it was entirely by chance that MacNair had found him, an unwelcome sojourner at Fort Rae.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The fact that MacNair had twice come upon him unexpectedly within the space of a month caused him grave concern.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For Lapierre was troubled.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading A SHOT IN THE NIGHT As Lapierre made his way to the camp of the Indians he pondered deeply.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Accusations and recriminations had passed between them, with the result that MacNair, rough, bluff, and ready to fight at any time, had pounded the quarter-breed to within an inch of his life, and then, to the undisguised delight of the men of the H.B.C., had dragged him out and pitched him ignominiously into the lake.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The fact that MacNair had twice come upon him unexpectedly within the space of a month caused him grave concern.
