used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Ten Years After "Sally, those awful Night Riders are around again."
anew
From this reading Ten Years After "Sally, those awful Night Riders are around again."
how long something has existed
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ten Years After "Sally, those awful Night Riders are around again."
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Ten Years After "Sally, those awful Night Riders are around again."
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading Ten Years After "Sally, those awful Night Riders are around again."
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
complexionnounUS /kəmˈplekʃən/
the coloring of a person's face
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
placed crosswise
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
demandsnounUS /dɪˈmændz/
plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No, Milt, you don't really mean it?"
expressiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspresɪv/
characterized by expression
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
forcingverbUS /ˈfɔːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “force” — to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
a young female
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "No, Milt, you don't really mean it?"
juniornounUS /ˈdʒuːnjər/
term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
staying power
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
make-believenoun
imaginative intellectual play
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "No, Milt, you don't really mean it?"
the force of workers available
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
MiltnounUS /mɪlt/
fish sperm or sperm-filled reproductive gland; having a creamy texture
From this reading "No, Milt, you don't really mean it?"
MiltonnounUS /ˈmɪltən/
English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Ten Years After "Sally, those awful Night Riders are around again."
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
not any; not one
From this reading "No, Milt, you don't really mean it?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
with speed
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading "No, Milt, you don't really mean it?"
richlyadverbUS /ˈrɪtʃli/
to an ample degree or in an ample manner
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
RidersnounUS /ˈraɪdərz/
plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading Ten Years After "Sally, those awful Night Riders are around again."
precisely, exactly
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
witty remark
From this reading Ten Years After "Sally, those awful Night Riders are around again."
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
sewingnounUS /ˈsoʊɪŋ/
joining or attaching by stitches
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
skittishadjectiveUS /ˈskɪtɪʃ/
unpredictably excitable (especially of horses)
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
stalwartadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːlwərt/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
having a supporting base
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Ten Years After "Sally, those awful Night Riders are around again."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Ten Years After "Sally, those awful Night Riders are around again."
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
tintedverbUS /ˈtɪntɪd/
past form of “tint” — color lightly
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading "They are men who band together and ride through the country at night for the purpose of forcing people to do certain things that the band demands.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
in or at the place that
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
which person or people
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sally looked up quickly from her sewing across the hearth to where her stalwart husband sat with crossed legs, making of his swinging right foot a make-believe skittish horse for Milton, junior, age three.
a late time of life
From this reading Ten Years After "Sally, those awful Night Riders are around again."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "No, Milt, you don't really mean it?"
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "Father, what does Night Riders mean?" asked a young girl of nine or ten standing near, who had her mother's fair complexion and richly tinted hair, but her father's dark and expressive eyes.
