used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Before he pulled out his tobacco bag he leaned the rifle against the doorjamb.
arm's-length
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes, unaccustomed to the darkness, did not see the crouching Racey Dawson within arm's-length.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading Before he pulled out his tobacco bag he leaned the rifle against the doorjamb.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before he pulled out his tobacco bag he leaned the rifle against the doorjamb.
fearless and daring
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both of Bull's hands were cupped round the lighted match.
BullnounUS /bʊl/
uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
Bull'snounUS /bʊlz/
possessive form of “bull” — uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle
From this reading Both of Bull's hands were cupped round the lighted match.
cigarettenounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈet/
finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading His eyes, unaccustomed to the darkness, did not see the crouching Racey Dawson within arm's-length.
cupped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both of Bull's hands were cupped round the lighted match.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading His eyes, unaccustomed to the darkness, did not see the crouching Racey Dawson within arm's-length.
DawsonnounUS /ˈdɔːsən/
a town in northwestern Canada in the Yukon on the Yukon River; a boom town around 1900 when gold was discovered in the Klondike
From this reading His eyes, unaccustomed to the darkness, did not see the crouching Racey Dawson within arm's-length.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading His eyes, unaccustomed to the darkness, did not see the crouching Racey Dawson within arm's-length.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
doorjambnoun
a jamb for a door
From this reading Before he pulled out his tobacco bag he leaned the rifle against the doorjamb.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading He lifted it to the end of the cigarette.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His eyes, unaccustomed to the darkness, did not see the crouching Racey Dawson within arm's-length.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Both of Bull's hands were cupped round the lighted match.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Before he pulled out his tobacco bag he leaned the rifle against the doorjamb.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Before he pulled out his tobacco bag he leaned the rifle against the doorjamb.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He lifted it to the end of the cigarette.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading Before he pulled out his tobacco bag he leaned the rifle against the doorjamb.
held up in the air
From this reading He lifted it to the end of the cigarette.
set afire or burning
From this reading Both of Bull's hands were cupped round the lighted match.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading Both of Bull's hands were cupped round the lighted match.
a particular point in time
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His eyes, unaccustomed to the darkness, did not see the crouching Racey Dawson within arm's-length.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Before he pulled out his tobacco bag he leaned the rifle against the doorjamb.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading Before he pulled out his tobacco bag he leaned the rifle against the doorjamb.
Racey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His eyes, unaccustomed to the darkness, did not see the crouching Racey Dawson within arm's-length.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading Before he pulled out his tobacco bag he leaned the rifle against the doorjamb.
move by turning over or rotating
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Both of Bull's hands were cupped round the lighted match.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading His eyes, unaccustomed to the darkness, did not see the crouching Racey Dawson within arm's-length.
shacknounUS /ʃæk/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A BOLD BAD MAN Bull had halted a moment outside the door of the shack to roll a cigarette.
tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/
leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
From this reading Before he pulled out his tobacco bag he leaned the rifle against the doorjamb.
unaccustomedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd/
unusual or unfamiliar
From this reading His eyes, unaccustomed to the darkness, did not see the crouching Racey Dawson within arm's-length.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Both of Bull's hands were cupped round the lighted match.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading His eyes, unaccustomed to the darkness, did not see the crouching Racey Dawson within arm's-length.
