used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading There I saw along the walls many collars, leather straps, and traces, but no bits.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I thought this was singular, and I wondered how the reindeer could be driven, but I said nothing.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading There I saw along the walls many collars, leather straps, and traces, but no bits.
the lower side of anything
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading But when harnesses for the reindeer were brought out I found that harnessing a reindeer was very unlike harnessing a horse, and far more simple.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There I saw along the walls many collars, leather straps, and traces, but no bits.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
collarsnounUS /ˈkɑːlərz/
plural of “collar” — a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading There I saw along the walls many collars, leather straps, and traces, but no bits.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I thought this was singular, and I wondered how the reindeer could be driven, but I said nothing.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading I thought this was singular, and I wondered how the reindeer could be driven, but I said nothing.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But when harnesses for the reindeer were brought out I found that harnessing a reindeer was very unlike harnessing a horse, and far more simple.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But when harnesses for the reindeer were brought out I found that harnessing a reindeer was very unlike harnessing a horse, and far more simple.
set up or found
From this reading But when harnesses for the reindeer were brought out I found that harnessing a reindeer was very unlike harnessing a horse, and far more simple.
the act of departing
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
harnessverbUS /ˈhɑːrnəs/
put a harness
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
harnessesnounUS /ˈhɑːrnəsəz/
plural of “harness” — a support consisting of an arrangement of straps for holding something to the body (especially one supporting a person suspended from a parachute)
From this reading But when harnesses for the reindeer were brought out I found that harnessing a reindeer was very unlike harnessing a horse, and far more simple.
HARNESSINGverbUS /ˈhɑːrnəsɪŋ/
-ing form of “harness” — put a harness
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
HOOFSnounUS /hʊfs/
plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading But when harnesses for the reindeer were brought out I found that harnessing a reindeer was very unlike harnessing a horse, and far more simple.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I thought this was singular, and I wondered how the reindeer could be driven, but I said nothing.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There I saw along the walls many collars, leather straps, and traces, but no bits.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading There I saw along the walls many collars, leather straps, and traces, but no bits.
LESSONSnounUS /ˈlesənz/
plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading There I saw along the walls many collars, leather straps, and traces, but no bits.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But when harnesses for the reindeer were brought out I found that harnessing a reindeer was very unlike harnessing a horse, and far more simple.
not any; not one
From this reading There I saw along the walls many collars, leather straps, and traces, but no bits.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I thought this was singular, and I wondered how the reindeer could be driven, but I said nothing.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
REINDEERnounUS /ˈreɪndɪr/
Arctic deer with large antlers in both sexes; called “reindeer” in Eurasia and “caribou” in North America
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I thought this was singular, and I wondered how the reindeer could be driven, but I said nothing.
cut with a saw
From this reading There I saw along the walls many collars, leather straps, and traces, but no bits.
securelyadverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrli/
in a secure manner; in a manner free from danger
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading But when harnesses for the reindeer were brought out I found that harnessing a reindeer was very unlike harnessing a horse, and far more simple.
unusual or striking
From this reading I thought this was singular, and I wondered how the reindeer could be driven, but I said nothing.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
strapsnounUS /stræps/
plural of “strap” — an elongated leather strip (or a strip of similar material) for binding things together or holding something in position
From this reading There I saw along the walls many collars, leather straps, and traces, but no bits.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But when harnesses for the reindeer were brought out I found that harnessing a reindeer was very unlike harnessing a horse, and far more simple.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There I saw along the walls many collars, leather straps, and traces, but no bits.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I thought this was singular, and I wondered how the reindeer could be driven, but I said nothing.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading I thought this was singular, and I wondered how the reindeer could be driven, but I said nothing.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
bound or secured closely
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
tracesnounUS /ˈtreɪsəz/
plural of “trace” — a just detectable amount
From this reading There I saw along the walls many collars, leather straps, and traces, but no bits.
unlikeadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪk/
marked by dissimilarity
From this reading But when harnesses for the reindeer were brought out I found that harnessing a reindeer was very unlike harnessing a horse, and far more simple.
UPSETverbUS /əpˈset/
disturb the balance or stability of
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
precisely as stated
From this reading But when harnesses for the reindeer were brought out I found that harnessing a reindeer was very unlike harnessing a horse, and far more simple.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading There I saw along the walls many collars, leather straps, and traces, but no bits.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But when harnesses for the reindeer were brought out I found that harnessing a reindeer was very unlike harnessing a horse, and far more simple.
at the time that
From this reading But when harnesses for the reindeer were brought out I found that harnessing a reindeer was very unlike harnessing a horse, and far more simple.
in or at the place that
From this reading On our return we tied our reindeer securely and went to a small house where the harness was kept.
in the company of; together with
From this reading HARNESSING REINDEER.--THE FIRST LESSONS IN DRIVING.--CONSTANTLY UPSET AT FIRST.--GOING DOWN HILL WITH REINDEER.--THROWN OUT AT THE BOTTOM.--QUEER NOISE MADE BY REINDEER HOOFS.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading I thought this was singular, and I wondered how the reindeer could be driven, but I said nothing.
