used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
from appearances alone
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
bestrodeverbUS /bɪˈstroʊd/
inflected form of “bestride” — get up on the back of
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
Blick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
descried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
divisible by two
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
opinion or judgment
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
groomverbUS /ɡruːm/
educate for a future role or function
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
habitedadjective
dressed in a habit
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
and nothing more
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
leaguesnounUS /liːɡz/
plural of “league” — an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
military-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
Nigel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
not any; not one
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
overtakingnounUS /ˈoʊvərteɪkɪŋ/
going by something that is moving in order to get in front of it
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
with speed
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading RIDE, RIDE TOGETHER.
riding-dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
Identical; not different.
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
cut with a saw
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
surmountedadjectiveUS /sərˈmaʊntɪd/
having something on top
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading RIDE, RIDE TOGETHER.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To cover three leagues in an hour on such a horse as Nigel bestrode was no great affair.
watchfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɑːtʃfəl/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
at the time that
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
which person or people
From this reading As Sergeant Blick was a long way off when he saw so much, he did not even attempt to guess who she might be.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading It consisted apparently of a lady habited in a riding-dress suitable for the winter, surmounted by a military-looking cloak, and a groom on another horse just behind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It may have been a little more or a little less when Sergeant Blick, with his watchful eyes, descried that his former colonel was rapidly overtaking a little party that rode in the same direction.
