used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
anew
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He was still trembling from the excitement of forcing the ford and the battle among the trees, but the reddish mist before his eyes was gradually clearing away.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They had been driven out of an extremely strong position, ground of their own choosing, and nothing remained to them but to retire.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He was still trembling from the excitement of forcing the ford and the battle among the trees, but the reddish mist before his eyes was gradually clearing away.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They had been driven out of an extremely strong position, ground of their own choosing, and nothing remained to them but to retire.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He was still trembling from the excitement of forcing the ford and the battle among the trees, but the reddish mist before his eyes was gradually clearing away.
a youthful male person
From this reading The boy stood by the side of his horse, holding the bridle in one hand and the rifle in the other.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
bridlenounUS /ˈbraɪdəl/
headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control
From this reading The boy stood by the side of his horse, holding the bridle in one hand and the rifle in the other.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The boy stood by the side of his horse, holding the bridle in one hand and the rifle in the other.
choosingverbUS /ˈtʃuːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading They had been driven out of an extremely strong position, ground of their own choosing, and nothing remained to them but to retire.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading He was still trembling from the excitement of forcing the ford and the battle among the trees, but the reddish mist before his eyes was gradually clearing away.
ComanchesnounUS /kəˈmæntʃiz/
plural of “comanche” — a member of the Shoshonean people who formerly lived between Wyoming and the Mexican border but are now chiefly in Oklahoma
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading They had been driven out of an extremely strong position, ground of their own choosing, and nothing remained to them but to retire.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading He was still trembling from the excitement of forcing the ford and the battle among the trees, but the reddish mist before his eyes was gradually clearing away.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading They had been driven out of an extremely strong position, ground of their own choosing, and nothing remained to them but to retire.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He was still trembling from the excitement of forcing the ford and the battle among the trees, but the reddish mist before his eyes was gradually clearing away.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
forcingverbUS /ˈfɔːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “force” — to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means
From this reading He was still trembling from the excitement of forcing the ford and the battle among the trees, but the reddish mist before his eyes was gradually clearing away.
fordnounUS /fɔːrd/
United States film maker (1896-1973)
From this reading He was still trembling from the excitement of forcing the ford and the battle among the trees, but the reddish mist before his eyes was gradually clearing away.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
gallopedverbUS /ˈɡæləpt/
past form of “gallop” — ride at a galloping pace
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
in a gradual manner
From this reading He was still trembling from the excitement of forcing the ford and the battle among the trees, but the reddish mist before his eyes was gradually clearing away.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading They had been driven out of an extremely strong position, ground of their own choosing, and nothing remained to them but to retire.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had been driven out of an extremely strong position, ground of their own choosing, and nothing remained to them but to retire.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The boy stood by the side of his horse, holding the bridle in one hand and the rifle in the other.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was still trembling from the excitement of forcing the ford and the battle among the trees, but the reddish mist before his eyes was gradually clearing away.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
the act of retaining something
From this reading The boy stood by the side of his horse, holding the bridle in one hand and the rifle in the other.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The boy stood by the side of his horse, holding the bridle in one hand and the rifle in the other.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
and nothing more
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
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 The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
the force of workers available
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
become covered with mist
From this reading He was still trembling from the excitement of forcing the ford and the battle among the trees, but the reddish mist before his eyes was gradually clearing away.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading They had been driven out of an extremely strong position, ground of their own choosing, and nothing remained to them but to retire.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The boy stood by the side of his horse, holding the bridle in one hand and the rifle in the other.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The boy stood by the side of his horse, holding the bridle in one hand and the rifle in the other.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading They had been driven out of an extremely strong position, ground of their own choosing, and nothing remained to them but to retire.
perspiringverbUS /pərˈspaɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “perspire” — excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading They had been driven out of an extremely strong position, ground of their own choosing, and nothing remained to them but to retire.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
reddishadjectiveUS /ˈredɪʃ/
of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
From this reading He was still trembling from the excitement of forcing the ford and the battle among the trees, but the reddish mist before his eyes was gradually clearing away.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading They had been driven out of an extremely strong position, ground of their own choosing, and nothing remained to them but to retire.
retireverbUS /rɪˈtaɪr/
go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position
From this reading They had been driven out of an extremely strong position, ground of their own choosing, and nothing remained to them but to retire.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The boy stood by the side of his horse, holding the bridle in one hand and the rifle in the other.
make square
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
not in physical motion
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The boy stood by the side of his horse, holding the bridle in one hand and the rifle in the other.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading They had been driven out of an extremely strong position, ground of their own choosing, and nothing remained to them but to retire.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They had been driven out of an extremely strong position, ground of their own choosing, and nothing remained to them but to retire.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
timbernounUS /ˈtɪmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
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 He was still trembling from the excitement of forcing the ford and the battle among the trees, but the reddish mist before his eyes was gradually clearing away.
a shaky motion
From this reading He was still trembling from the excitement of forcing the ford and the battle among the trees, but the reddish mist before his eyes was gradually clearing away.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
victoriousadjectiveUS /vɪkˈtɔːriəs/
having won
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
wagonsnounUS /ˈwæɡənz/
plural of “wagon” — any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
look attentively
From this reading ON WATCH The wagons drew up in a great square on the open plain, but just at the edge of the timber, and the men, breathless, perspiring, but victorious, dropped from their horses.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The Comanches still galloped to and fro and shouted in the distance, but they kept well out of rifle shot, and Phil, although it was his first battle, knew that they would not attack again, at least not for the present.
