used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF THE READER.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF THE READER.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A mad terror then seized on the Indians, and they turned and fled in every direction; ten minutes later they had disappeared.
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 On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friends.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
bulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
conscientiouslyadverbUS /ˌkɑːntʃiˈentʃəsli/
with extreme conscientiousness
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
crawlingnounUS /ˈkrɔːlɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
Curumilla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading A mad terror then seized on the Indians, and they turned and fled in every direction; ten minutes later they had disappeared.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading A mad terror then seized on the Indians, and they turned and fled in every direction; ten minutes later they had disappeared.
dischargeverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒ/
complete or carry out
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
dismounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading A mad terror then seized on the Indians, and they turned and fled in every direction; ten minutes later they had disappeared.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friends.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading A mad terror then seized on the Indians, and they turned and fled in every direction; ten minutes later they had disappeared.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friends.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friends.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A mad terror then seized on the Indians, and they turned and fled in every direction; ten minutes later they had disappeared.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friends.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friends.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friends.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
huntersnounUS /ˈhʌntərz/
plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading A mad terror then seized on the Indians, and they turned and fled in every direction; ten minutes later they had disappeared.
lassoed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friends.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A mad terror then seized on the Indians, and they turned and fled in every direction; ten minutes later they had disappeared.
roused to anger
From this reading A mad terror then seized on the Indians, and they turned and fled in every direction; ten minutes later they had disappeared.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading A mad terror then seized on the Indians, and they turned and fled in every direction; ten minutes later they had disappeared.
a particular point in time
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF THE READER.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF THE READER.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
pacesnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪz/
plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friends.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friends.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
pursuingadjectiveUS /pərˈsuːɪŋ/
following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
ranksnounUS /ræŋks/
plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF THE READER.
past form of “rejoin” — join again
From this reading At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friends.
riderless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friends.
Identical; not different.
From this reading At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friends.
scalpedverbUS /skælpt/
past form of “scalp” — sell illegally, as on the black market
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading A mad terror then seized on the Indians, and they turned and fled in every direction; ten minutes later they had disappeared.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading A mad terror then seized on the Indians, and they turned and fled in every direction; ten minutes later they had disappeared.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF THE READER.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A mad terror then seized on the Indians, and they turned and fled in every direction; ten minutes later they had disappeared.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friends.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading A mad terror then seized on the Indians, and they turned and fled in every direction; ten minutes later they had disappeared.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
unforeseenadjectiveUS /ˌʌnfɔːrˈsiːn/
not anticipated
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
communicated in words
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
victimsnounUS /ˈvɪktəmz/
plural of “victim” — an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the same time he lassoed a riderless horse which passed a few paces from him, and then rejoined his friends.
which person or people
From this reading The hunters did not dream for a moment of pursuing them; but Curumilla had dismounted, and crawling out to the scene of action, conscientiously finished and scalped the Apaches who had fallen under his comrades' bullets.
yellnounUS /jel/
a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading On this unforeseen attack the Apaches uttered a yell of terror; but, before they could pull up their horses, a second discharge made four fresh victims in their ranks.
