used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
affidavitsnounUS /ˌæfɪˈdeɪvɪts/
plural of “affidavit” — written declaration made under oath; a written statement sworn to be true before someone legally authorized to administer an oath
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading As we rode home after the funeral I said something of the kind to Steel, who agreed with me.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading As we rode home after the funeral I said something of the kind to Steel, who agreed with me.
aloftadverbUS /əˈlɔːft/
at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As we rode home after the funeral I said something of the kind to Steel, who agreed with me.
next to; at the side of
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
placed in a grave
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
an occurrence of something
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
compulsionnounUS /kəmˈpʌlʃən/
an urge to do or say something that might be better left undone or unsaid
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
a female human offspring
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
debitnounUS /ˈdebɪt/
an accounting entry acknowledging sums that are owing
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
dragverbUS /dræɡ/
pull, as against a resistance
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
flamingadjectiveUS /ˈfleɪmɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
funeralnounUS /ˈfjuːnərəl/
a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated
From this reading As we rode home after the funeral I said something of the kind to Steel, who agreed with me.
fussverbUS /fʌs/
worry unnecessarily or excessively
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
a young female
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
death of a person
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
Jo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading As we rode home after the funeral I said something of the kind to Steel, who agreed with me.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
a narrow way or road
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
engage in
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As we rode home after the funeral I said something of the kind to Steel, who agreed with me.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
not any; not one
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
PRAIRIEnounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
Redmond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading As we rode home after the funeral I said something of the kind to Steel, who agreed with me.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading As we rode home after the funeral I said something of the kind to Steel, who agreed with me.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
cut with a saw
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading As we rode home after the funeral I said something of the kind to Steel, who agreed with me.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading As we rode home after the funeral I said something of the kind to Steel, who agreed with me.
stonyadjectiveUS /ˈstoʊni/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
strikesnounUS /straɪks/
plural of “strike” — a group's refusal to work in protest against low pay or bad work conditions
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
tearlessadjective
free from tears
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
ThornnounUS /θɔːrn/
something that causes irritation and annoyance
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
torchlightnoun
light from a torch or torches
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
townounUS /toʊ/
the act of hauling something (as a vehicle) by means of a hitch or rope
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
transferredverbUS /trænˈsfɜːrd/
inflected form of “transfer” — transfer somebody to a different position or location of work
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
usurernoun
someone who lends money at excessive rates of interest
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading A PRAIRIE STUDY So Redmond came home, and we buried him the following night by torchlight on a desolate ridge of the prairie.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
at the time that
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
which person or people
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was his daughter who ordered this; and if some of those who held aloft the flaming tow guessed his secret they kept it for the sake of the girl who stood with a stony, tearless face beside the open grave.
yieldedverbUS /ˈjiːldɪd/
past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of
From this reading He had doubtless yielded to strong compulsion when driven into a corner from which, for one of his nature, there was no escape, and now that he was dead, I had transferred my score against him to the debit of the usurer.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "If you concluded to try it, Thorn and Jo and I, taking our affidavits as to what we saw that night, might make out a case for you; but I don't know that we could fix it on Lane, and it strikes me as mean to drag a dead man into the fuss for nothing," he said.
