used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
adoptionnounUS /əˈdɑːpʃən/
the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception
From this reading The range mare has no instinct of charity and has no mind for adoption, no matter how pitiful the circumstance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The range mare has no instinct of charity and has no mind for adoption, no matter how pitiful the circumstance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
briarnounUS /ˈbraɪər/
Eurasian rose with prickly stems and fragrant leaves and bright pink flowers followed by scarlet hips
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading This task was the care of the orphan colts, of which the ranch harbored half a dozen.
caretakernounUS /ˈkerteɪkər/
a custodian who is hired to take care of something (property or a person)
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
charitynounUS /ˈtʃerɪti/
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
From this reading The range mare has no instinct of charity and has no mind for adoption, no matter how pitiful the circumstance.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading The range mare has no instinct of charity and has no mind for adoption, no matter how pitiful the circumstance.
coltsnounUS /koʊlts/
plural of “colt” — a young male horse under the age of four
From this reading This task was the care of the orphan colts, of which the ranch harbored half a dozen.
corralverbUS /kərˈæl/
enclose in a corral
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
demotedverbUS /dɪˈmoʊtɪd/
past form of “demote” — assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
distastefuladjectiveUS /dɪˈsteɪstfəl/
not pleasing in odor or taste
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading This task was the care of the orphan colts, of which the ranch harbored half a dozen.
DuncannounUS /ˈdʌŋkən/
United States dancer and pioneer of modern dance (1878-1927)
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
a social unit living together
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
enclose with a fence
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading TRAPPING FOR PROOF.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading This task was the care of the orphan colts, of which the ranch harbored half a dozen.
harboredverbUS /ˈhɑːrbərd/
past form of “harbor” — maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
From this reading This task was the care of the orphan colts, of which the ranch harbored half a dozen.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The range mare has no instinct of charity and has no mind for adoption, no matter how pitiful the circumstance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The range mare has no instinct of charity and has no mind for adoption, no matter how pitiful the circumstance.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading The range mare has no instinct of charity and has no mind for adoption, no matter how pitiful the circumstance.
and nothing more
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
something that is lost
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
MacDonald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
marenounUS /mer/
female equine animal
From this reading The range mare has no instinct of charity and has no mind for adoption, no matter how pitiful the circumstance.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The range mare has no instinct of charity and has no mind for adoption, no matter how pitiful the circumstance.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The range mare has no instinct of charity and has no mind for adoption, no matter how pitiful the circumstance.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
not any; not one
From this reading The range mare has no instinct of charity and has no mind for adoption, no matter how pitiful the circumstance.
O'HaranounUS /oʊˈherə/
United States writer (1905-1970)
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
orphannounUS /ˈɔːrfən/
a child who has lost both parents
From this reading This task was the care of the orphan colts, of which the ranch harbored half a dozen.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
pitifuladjectiveUS /ˈpɪtəfəl/
inspiring mixed contempt and pity
From this reading The range mare has no instinct of charity and has no mind for adoption, no matter how pitiful the circumstance.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading TRAPPING FOR PROOF.
puffingnounUS /ˈpʌfɪŋ/
blowing tobacco smoke out into the air
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
RafternounUS /ˈræftər/
one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading The range mare has no instinct of charity and has no mind for adoption, no matter how pitiful the circumstance.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
rustlersnounUS /ˈrʌsələrz/
plural of “rustler” — someone who steals livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
Strathconna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading This task was the care of the orphan colts, of which the ranch harbored half a dozen.
tasksnounUS /tæsks/
plural of “task” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This task was the care of the orphan colts, of which the ranch harbored half a dozen.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
TRAPPINGnounUS /ˈtræpɪŋ/
stable gear consisting of a decorated covering for a horse, especially (formerly) for a warhorse
From this reading TRAPPING FOR PROOF.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
variedadjectiveUS /ˈverid/
characterized by variety
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
viciouslyadverbUS /ˈvɪʃəsli/
in a vicious manner
From this reading Duncan O'Hara sat perched on the top rail of the Rafter A corral fence, puffing viciously at a burned out briar.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This task was the care of the orphan colts, of which the ranch harbored half a dozen.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
at the time that
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had just finished the most distasteful of the varied tasks that fell to the caretaker of the home ranch, the position to which Major MacDonald had demoted him on return of the family party from Strathconna a few weeks before, when he had been called upon to report the loss of more horse flesh to the rustlers.
