used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
anew
From this reading When he looked again he was startled to find she had vanished, and the measured sound of a horse’s hoof-beats broke on his ear.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the same moment he saw the path took a turn in the scrub, and drawing out a pistol, ran down it.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
lacking funds
From this reading When he looked again he was startled to find she had vanished, and the measured sound of a horse’s hoof-beats broke on his ear.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading At the same moment he saw the path took a turn in the scrub, and drawing out a pistol, ran down it.
remove the dust from
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading When he looked again he was startled to find she had vanished, and the measured sound of a horse’s hoof-beats broke on his ear.
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading When he looked again he was startled to find she had vanished, and the measured sound of a horse’s hoof-beats broke on his ear.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
a young female
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When he looked again he was startled to find she had vanished, and the measured sound of a horse’s hoof-beats broke on his ear.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
come to pass
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
hoof-beats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he looked again he was startled to find she had vanished, and the measured sound of a horse’s hoof-beats broke on his ear.
horse'snounUS /ˈhɔːrsəz/
possessive form of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading When he looked again he was startled to find she had vanished, and the measured sound of a horse’s hoof-beats broke on his ear.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At the same moment he saw the path took a turn in the scrub, and drawing out a pistol, ran down it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At the same moment he saw the path took a turn in the scrub, and drawing out a pistol, ran down it.
judgedverbUS /dʒʌdʒd/
past form of “judge” — determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
loadedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊdɪd/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When he looked again he was startled to find she had vanished, and the measured sound of a horse’s hoof-beats broke on his ear.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
measuredadjectiveUS /ˈmeʒərd/
having notes of fixed rhythmic value
From this reading When he looked again he was startled to find she had vanished, and the measured sound of a horse’s hoof-beats broke on his ear.
the force of workers available
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
a particular point in time
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
Nellie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
not any; not one
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When he looked again he was startled to find she had vanished, and the measured sound of a horse’s hoof-beats broke on his ear.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading At the same moment he saw the path took a turn in the scrub, and drawing out a pistol, ran down it.
a course of conduct
From this reading At the same moment he saw the path took a turn in the scrub, and drawing out a pistol, ran down it.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading At the same moment he saw the path took a turn in the scrub, and drawing out a pistol, ran down it.
pistolsnounUS /ˈpɪstəlz/
plural of “pistol” — a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading At the same moment he saw the path took a turn in the scrub, and drawing out a pistol, ran down it.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
Identical; not different.
From this reading At the same moment he saw the path took a turn in the scrub, and drawing out a pistol, ran down it.
cut with a saw
From this reading At the same moment he saw the path took a turn in the scrub, and drawing out a pistol, ran down it.
scrubverbUS /skrʌb/
clean with hard rubbing
From this reading At the same moment he saw the path took a turn in the scrub, and drawing out a pistol, ran down it.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he looked again he was startled to find she had vanished, and the measured sound of a horse’s hoof-beats broke on his ear.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading When he looked again he was startled to find she had vanished, and the measured sound of a horse’s hoof-beats broke on his ear.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading When he looked again he was startled to find she had vanished, and the measured sound of a horse’s hoof-beats broke on his ear.
not in physical motion
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
believed likely
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
in a swift manner
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
a special situation
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading At the same moment he saw the path took a turn in the scrub, and drawing out a pistol, ran down it.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading At the same moment he saw the path took a turn in the scrub, and drawing out a pistol, ran down it.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
unwiseadjectiveUS /ənˈwaɪz/
showing or resulting from lack of judgment or wisdom
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
having passed out of existence
From this reading When he looked again he was startled to find she had vanished, and the measured sound of a horse’s hoof-beats broke on his ear.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The man paused a moment, and by the light of the moon examined his pistols to see they were loaded, for he judged he was doing an unwise thing.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Should there be men there, as he more than half suspected, there was no knowing what might happen; but still he never thought of turning back, that Nellie was there was more than sufficient reason he should follow.
at the time that
From this reading When he looked again he was startled to find she had vanished, and the measured sound of a horse’s hoof-beats broke on his ear.
whirlverbUS /wɜːrl/
turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading Down this track the girl went swiftly, her skirts raising a little whirl of dust behind her.
