used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
for the reason that
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
betrayingverbUS /bɪˈtreɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Next, they proceed to take care of themselves--to fortify the inner man with a bit of breakfast.
biteverbUS /baɪt/
to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Next, they proceed to take care of themselves--to fortify the inner man with a bit of breakfast.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Next, they proceed to take care of themselves--to fortify the inner man with a bit of breakfast.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
cookingnounUS /ˈkʊkɪŋ/
the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat
From this reading No fire is needed for the cooking it, and none is kindled.
the first light of day
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
declinesnounUS /dɪˈklaɪnz/
plural of “decline” — change toward something smaller or lower
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
an opposing military force
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
start firing a weapon
From this reading No fire is needed for the cooking it, and none is kindled.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading No fire is needed for the cooking it, and none is kindled.
fortifyverbUS /ˈfɔːrtɪfaɪ/
make strong or stronger
From this reading Next, they proceed to take care of themselves--to fortify the inner man with a bit of breakfast.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
an established custom
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
located inward
From this reading Next, they proceed to take care of themselves--to fortify the inner man with a bit of breakfast.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
kindledadjectiveUS /ˈkɪndəld/
set afire
From this reading No fire is needed for the cooking it, and none is kindled.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Next, they proceed to take care of themselves--to fortify the inner man with a bit of breakfast.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
in motion
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading No fire is needed for the cooking it, and none is kindled.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next, they proceed to take care of themselves--to fortify the inner man with a bit of breakfast.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
not any; not one
From this reading No fire is needed for the cooking it, and none is kindled.
not one, and not any
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
picket-pins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
continue talking
From this reading Next, they proceed to take care of themselves--to fortify the inner man with a bit of breakfast.
shiftverbUS /ʃɪft/
make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
spectres
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
carry out
From this reading Next, they proceed to take care of themselves--to fortify the inner man with a bit of breakfast.
tetheredadjectiveUS /ˈteðərd/
confined or restricted with or as if with a rope or chain
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Next, they proceed to take care of themselves--to fortify the inner man with a bit of breakfast.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Silent, not from any fear of betraying their presence to an enemy--they know of none likely to be near--but because it is their habit.
trail-ropes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
trampledverbUS /ˈtræmpəld/
past form of “trample” — tread or stomp heavily or roughly
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading So nearly an hour before dawn declines itself they are up and active, moving about in the dim light, silent as spectres.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading What they first do is to shift the picket-pins of their horses, or give greater length to the trail-ropes, in order that the animals may get a bite of clean fresh grass, that on which they were tethered throughout the night being now trampled down.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Next, they proceed to take care of themselves--to fortify the inner man with a bit of breakfast.
