used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A REFUGE IN TIME.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
agedadjectiveUS /eɪdʒd/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
ApachesnounUS /əˈpætʃiz/
plural of “apache” — any member of Athapaskan tribes that migrated to the southwestern desert (from Arizona to Texas and south into Mexico); fought a losing battle from 1861 to 1886 with the United States and were resettled in Oklahoma
From this reading Away rode the Apaches galloping south-east, leading the captured horses behind them.
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Away rode the Apaches galloping south-east, leading the captured horses behind them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Away rode the Apaches galloping south-east, leading the captured horses behind them.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
bravesnounUS /breɪvz/
plural of “brave” — a North American Indian warrior
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
caddynounUS /ˈkædi/
a can for storing tea
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
canterverbUS /ˈkæntər/
ride at a canter
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
capturedverbUS /ˈkæptʃərd/
past form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading Away rode the Apaches galloping south-east, leading the captured horses behind them.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
having gaps or spaces
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
diminutiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnjətɪv/
very small
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
easily-carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
estimationnounUS /ˌestəˈmeɪʃən/
a document appraising the value of something (as for insurance or taxation)
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
opinion or judgment
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
fatallyadverbUS /ˈfeɪtəli/
with fatal consequences or implications
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
gallopingverbUS /ˈɡæləpɪŋ/
-ing form of “gallop” — ride at a galloping pace
From this reading Away rode the Apaches galloping south-east, leading the captured horses behind them.
coins made of gold
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
hammeredadjectiveUS /ˈhæmərd/
shaped or worked with a hammer and often showing hammer marks
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
harnessverbUS /ˈhɑːrnəs/
put a harness
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Away rode the Apaches galloping south-east, leading the captured horses behind them.
hubsnounUS /hʌbz/
plural of “hub” — the central part of a car wheel (or fan or propeller etc) through which the shaft or axle passes
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
impedingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpiːdɪŋ/
preventing movement
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A REFUGE IN TIME.
incumbered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading Away rode the Apaches galloping south-east, leading the captured horses behind them.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
minusadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪnəs/
on the negative side or lower end of a scale
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
NavynounUS /ˈneɪvi/
an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
and nothing more
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
ornamentsnounUS /ˈɔːrnəmənts/
plural of “ornament” — something used to beautify
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
paltryadjectiveUS /ˈpɔːltri/
not worth considering
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
poundedverbUS /ˈpaʊndɪd/
past form of “pound” — hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
REFUGEnounUS /ˈrefjuːdʒ/
a safe place
From this reading A REFUGE IN TIME.
reluctantlyadverbUS /rɪˈlʌktəntli/
with reluctance
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
retainverbUS /rɪˈteɪn/
hold back within
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Away rode the Apaches galloping south-east, leading the captured horses behind them.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
south-eastadverb
to, toward, or in the southeast
From this reading Away rode the Apaches galloping south-east, leading the captured horses behind them.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Their most precious prize had been abandoned--the caddy of “black Navy”--far more precious in their estimation than gold or ornaments.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Away rode the Apaches galloping south-east, leading the captured horses behind them.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Away rode the Apaches galloping south-east, leading the captured horses behind them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A REFUGE IN TIME.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the sudden surprise and retreat they had forgotten to retain those articles which they had fixed their eyes on, only a few diminutive and easily-carried articles being clung to.
which person or people
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
belonging to which person
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
people who are wounded
From this reading It had been pounded, hammered, dashed against wagon hubs, but in vain; and so, though reluctantly, they rode away minus two braves, with two more fatally wounded, with a paltry prize of twelve aged, heavy horses, whose best run was a mere rapid canter, and who were incumbered with heavy, impeding harness.
