Chapter II

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading At last the figure of a rider, silhouetted against the rose-colored sky, came into view along the crest of the rocky ridge.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading At last the figure of a rider, silhouetted against the rose-colored sky, came into view along the crest of the rocky ridge.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading A swift epidemic had been sweeping over Montana, passing from one ranch to another and leaving much illness and suffering behind.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading A swift epidemic had been sweeping over Montana, passing from one ranch to another and leaving much illness and suffering behind.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

a youthful male person

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading At last the figure of a rider, silhouetted against the rose-colored sky, came into view along the crest of the rocky ridge.

female of domestic cattle: "“moo-cow” is a child's term"

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading At last the figure of a rider, silhouetted against the rose-colored sky, came into view along the crest of the rocky ridge.

a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time

From this reading A swift epidemic had been sweeping over Montana, passing from one ranch to another and leaving much illness and suffering behind.

opinion or judgment

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading At last the figure of a rider, silhouetted against the rose-colored sky, came into view along the crest of the rocky ridge.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

plural of “fill” — a quantity sufficient to satisfy

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A swift epidemic had been sweeping over Montana, passing from one ranch to another and leaving much illness and suffering behind.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

a man skilled in equitation

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism

From this reading A swift epidemic had been sweeping over Montana, passing from one ranch to another and leaving much illness and suffering behind.

restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading At last the figure of a rider, silhouetted against the rose-colored sky, came into view along the crest of the rocky ridge.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

immediately past

From this reading At last the figure of a rider, silhouetted against the rose-colored sky, came into view along the crest of the rocky ridge.

the act of departing

From this reading A swift epidemic had been sweeping over Montana, passing from one ranch to another and leaving much illness and suffering behind.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

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 THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

a state in northwestern United States on the Canadian border

From this reading A swift epidemic had been sweeping over Montana, passing from one ranch to another and leaving much illness and suffering behind.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading A swift epidemic had been sweeping over Montana, passing from one ranch to another and leaving much illness and suffering behind.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A swift epidemic had been sweeping over Montana, passing from one ranch to another and leaving much illness and suffering behind.

above and across; more than

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading A swift epidemic had been sweeping over Montana, passing from one ranch to another and leaving much illness and suffering behind.

a legal document giving official permission to do something

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

a range horse of the western United States

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)

From this reading At last the figure of a rider, silhouetted against the rose-colored sky, came into view along the crest of the rocky ridge.

a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading At last the figure of a rider, silhouetted against the rose-colored sky, came into view along the crest of the rocky ridge.

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading At last the figure of a rider, silhouetted against the rose-colored sky, came into view along the crest of the rocky ridge.

reflecting optimism

From this reading At last the figure of a rider, silhouetted against the rose-colored sky, came into view along the crest of the rocky ridge.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

plural of “round” — a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

put a saddle on

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

past form of “silhouette” — project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette

From this reading At last the figure of a rider, silhouetted against the rose-colored sky, came into view along the crest of the rocky ridge.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading At last the figure of a rider, silhouetted against the rose-colored sky, came into view along the crest of the rocky ridge.

an incompetent person; usually used in negative constructions

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

having a supporting base

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

a state of acute pain

From this reading A swift epidemic had been sweeping over Montana, passing from one ranch to another and leaving much illness and suffering behind.

taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination

From this reading A swift epidemic had been sweeping over Montana, passing from one ranch to another and leaving much illness and suffering behind.

moving very fast

From this reading A swift epidemic had been sweeping over Montana, passing from one ranch to another and leaving much illness and suffering behind.

in a swift manner

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

a tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing Edwardian style clothes

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

possessive form of “ted” — a tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing Edwardian style clothes

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading At last the figure of a rider, silhouetted against the rose-colored sky, came into view along the crest of the rocky ridge.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

during the time that

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

a Caucasian

From this reading THE WHITE DOGS OF ARRAN For a long hour, on that November afternoon, my brother Ted had been standing at the gate below the ranch house, waiting and waiting, while the twilight filled the round hollow of the valley as water slowly fills a cup.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Although the horseman looked like a cow puncher, at that distance, with his slouch hat and big saddle, the eager boy knew that it was the district doctor making his far rounds over the range.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The little cow pony was loping as swiftly as the rough trail would permit, but to Ted’s impatient eyes it seemed to crawl as slowly as a fly on a window pane.