adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The editors were after him, he said, and if he ever expected to get anywhere, in a literary sense, it be-hooved him to keep on the smiley side of the editors.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading That sounded all right as far as it went, but unfortunately it did not go far.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
anywhereadverbUS /ˈeniwer/
at or in or to any place
From this reading The editors were after him, he said, and if he ever expected to get anywhere, in a literary sense, it be-hooved him to keep on the smiley side of the editors.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That sounded all right as far as it went, but unfortunately it did not go far.
AssociationnounUS /əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/
a formal organization of people or groups of people
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
be-hooved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The editors were after him, he said, and if he ever expected to get anywhere, in a literary sense, it be-hooved him to keep on the smiley side of the editors.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
busyadjectiveUS /ˈbɪzi/
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That sounded all right as far as it went, but unfortunately it did not go far.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
clamoredverbUS /ˈklæmərd/
past form of “clamor” — make loud demands
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
decidedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd/
recognizable; marked
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Thurston did not go on the horse roundup.
editorsnounUS /ˈedɪtərz/
plural of “editor” — a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
From this reading The editors were after him, he said, and if he ever expected to get anywhere, in a literary sense, it be-hooved him to keep on the smiley side of the editors.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading The editors were after him, he said, and if he ever expected to get anywhere, in a literary sense, it be-hooved him to keep on the smiley side of the editors.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
expectedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektəd/
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The editors were after him, he said, and if he ever expected to get anywhere, in a literary sense, it be-hooved him to keep on the smiley side of the editors.
explainedverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnd/
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading That sounded all right as far as it went, but unfortunately it did not go far.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The editors were after him, he said, and if he ever expected to get anywhere, in a literary sense, it be-hooved him to keep on the smiley side of the editors.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Thurston did not go on the horse roundup.
gravelyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪvli/
in a grave and sober manner
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
horsenounUS /hɔːrs/
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Thurston did not go on the horse roundup.
hostnounUS /hoʊst/
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The editors were after him, he said, and if he ever expected to get anywhere, in a literary sense, it be-hooved him to keep on the smiley side of the editors.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The editors were after him, he said, and if he ever expected to get anywhere, in a literary sense, it be-hooved him to keep on the smiley side of the editors.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
jerkedverbUS /dʒɜːrkt/
past form of “jerk” — pull, or move with a sudden movement
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
keepverbUS /kiːp/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
knowinglyadverbUS /ˈnoʊɪŋli/
with full knowledge and deliberation
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
literaryadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəreri/
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading The editors were after him, he said, and if he ever expected to get anywhere, in a literary sense, it be-hooved him to keep on the smiley side of the editors.
metverbUS /met/
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
MilknounUS /mɪlk/
a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
MonanounUS /ˈmoʊnə/
an island to the northwest of Wales
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Thurston did not go on the horse roundup.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Thurston did not go on the horse roundup.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
pantomimenounUS /ˈpæntəmaɪm/
a performance using gestures and body movements without words
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
remindedverbUS /riˈmaɪndɪd/
past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
rendezvousnounUS /ˈrɑːndɪvuː/
a meeting planned at a certain time and place
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading That sounded all right as far as it went, but unfortunately it did not go far.
RivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
roundupnounUS /ˈraʊndʌp/
the activity of gathering livestock together so that they can be counted or branded or sold
From this reading Thurston did not go on the horse roundup.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The editors were after him, he said, and if he ever expected to get anywhere, in a literary sense, it be-hooved him to keep on the smiley side of the editors.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading The editors were after him, he said, and if he ever expected to get anywhere, in a literary sense, it be-hooved him to keep on the smiley side of the editors.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The editors were after him, he said, and if he ever expected to get anywhere, in a literary sense, it be-hooved him to keep on the smiley side of the editors.
smileynounUS /ˈsmaɪli/
an emoticon of a smiling face
From this reading The editors were after him, he said, and if he ever expected to get anywhere, in a literary sense, it be-hooved him to keep on the smiley side of the editors.
soundedverbUS /ˈsaʊndɪd/
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading That sounded all right as far as it went, but unfortunately it did not go far.
startverbUS /stɑːrt/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
stayingverbUS /ˈsteɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
StevensnounUS /ˈstiːvənz/
United States psychologist and psychophysicist who proposed Stevens' power law to replace Fechner's law (1906-1973)
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
StocknounUS /stɑːk/
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Thurston did not go on the horse roundup.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
thumbsnounUS /θʌmz/
plural of “thumb” — the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
Thurston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thurston did not go on the horse roundup.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
unfortunatelyadverbUS /ənˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by bad luck
From this reading That sounded all right as far as it went, but unfortunately it did not go far.
unnecessarilyadverbUS /ənˈnesəserəli/
in an unnecessary manner
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
wagonsnounUS /ˈwæɡənz/
plural of “wagon” — any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading That sounded all right as far as it went, but unfortunately it did not go far.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
winkedverbUS /wɪŋkt/
past form of “wink” — signal by winking
From this reading The boys winked at one another gravely behind his back and jerked their thumbs knowingly toward Milk River; by which pantomime they reminded one another--quite unnecessarily that Mona Stevens had come home.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
writeverbUS /raɪt/
produce a literary work
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
YellowstonenounUS /ˈjeloʊstoʊn/
a tributary of the Missouri River that flows through the Yellowstone National Park
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading He explained to the boys, when they clamored against his staying, that he had a host of things to write, and it would keep him busy till they were ready to start with the wagons for the big rendezvous on the Yellowstone, the exact point of which had yet to be decided upon by the Stock Association when it met.
