used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
AlongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The road to Tombstone was narrow, rutty and lonesome.
arroyos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
banditsnounUS /ˈbændəts/
plural of “bandit” — an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a band
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
bordernounUS /ˈbɔːrdər/
a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
cloudburstnounUS /ˈklaʊdbɜːrst/
a heavy rain
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
cottonwoodnounUS /ˈkɑːtənwʊd/
any of several North American trees of the genus Populus having a tuft of cottony hairs on the seed
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
creek-beds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
placed crosswise
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
deepenedverbUS /ˈdiːpənd/
past form of “deepen” — make more intense, stronger, or more marked
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
dippedadjectiveUS /dɪpt/
having abnormal sagging of the spine (especially in horses)
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
divisible by two
From this reading For once, even Mary was not using her imagination to a frightening extent.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading For once, even Mary was not using her imagination to a frightening extent.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For once, even Mary was not using her imagination to a frightening extent.
frighteningadjectiveUS /ˈfraɪtənɪŋ/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading For once, even Mary was not using her imagination to a frightening extent.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
gravellyadjectiveUS /ˈɡrævəli/
abounding in small stones
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For once, even Mary was not using her imagination to a frightening extent.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading For once, even Mary was not using her imagination to a frightening extent.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
lonesomeadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnsəm/
being the only one; single and isolated from others
From this reading The road to Tombstone was narrow, rutty and lonesome.
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 But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
lurkverbUS /lɜːrk/
lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading For once, even Mary was not using her imagination to a frightening extent.
MexicannounUS /ˈmeksəkən/
a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading The road to Tombstone was narrow, rutty and lonesome.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
not-distant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
on one occasion
From this reading For once, even Mary was not using her imagination to a frightening extent.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The road to Tombstone was narrow, rutty and lonesome.
robbersnounUS /ˈrɒb.ərz/
Persons who steal from a person or place, especially using violence or threats.
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
done under pressure
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
ruttyadjective
full of ruts
From this reading The road to Tombstone was narrow, rutty and lonesome.
sheltersnounUS /ˈʃeltərz/
plural of “shelter” — a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The road to Tombstone was narrow, rutty and lonesome.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The road to Tombstone was narrow, rutty and lonesome.
TombstonenounUS /ˈtuːmstoʊn/
a stone that is used to mark a grave
From this reading The road to Tombstone was narrow, rutty and lonesome.
torrentsnounUS /ˈtɔːrənts/
plural of “torrent” — a heavy rain
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
create by training and teaching
From this reading But the girls, having been assured by Jerry that the train robbers had long since crossed the Mexican border, were not really fearful.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading For once, even Mary was not using her imagination to a frightening extent.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The road to Tombstone was narrow, rutty and lonesome.
washverbUS /wɑːʃ/
clean with some chemical process
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Along the banks of these dry creek-beds grew low cottonwood trees, making shelters behind which bandits _might_ lurk if they were so inclined.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Every now and then it dipped down into a gravelly wash, arroyos in the making, that were, year after year, being deepened by the torrents that rushed down the not-distant mountain sides after a cloudburst.
