used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MACHINE GUNS The crowd had arrived in the Lone Star State only a few days before.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading A few miles out of town, crowning the summit of a gentle rise, an abandoned ranch-house claimed their attention.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Old and dilapidated, a suggestion of romance seemed to hover about its cracked and yellowed adobe walls.
adobenounUS /əˈdoʊbi/
the clay from which adobe bricks are made
From this reading Old and dilapidated, a suggestion of romance seemed to hover about its cracked and yellowed adobe walls.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A few miles out of town, crowning the summit of a gentle rise, an abandoned ranch-house claimed their attention.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading MACHINE GUNS The crowd had arrived in the Lone Star State only a few days before.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading A few miles out of town, crowning the summit of a gentle rise, an abandoned ranch-house claimed their attention.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading MACHINE GUNS The crowd had arrived in the Lone Star State only a few days before.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading A few miles out of town, crowning the summit of a gentle rise, an abandoned ranch-house claimed their attention.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
crackedadjectiveUS /krækt/
used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure
From this reading Old and dilapidated, a suggestion of romance seemed to hover about its cracked and yellowed adobe walls.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading MACHINE GUNS The crowd had arrived in the Lone Star State only a few days before.
crowningadjectiveUS /ˈkraʊnɪŋ/
representing a level of the highest possible achievement or attainment
From this reading A few miles out of town, crowning the summit of a gentle rise, an abandoned ranch-house claimed their attention.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading MACHINE GUNS The crowd had arrived in the Lone Star State only a few days before.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
dilapidatedadjectiveUS /dəˈlæpədeɪtɪd/
in deplorable condition
From this reading Old and dilapidated, a suggestion of romance seemed to hover about its cracked and yellowed adobe walls.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading MACHINE GUNS The crowd had arrived in the Lone Star State only a few days before.
firearmsnounUS /ˈfaɪərɑːrmz/
plural of “firearm” — a portable gun
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading A few miles out of town, crowning the summit of a gentle rise, an abandoned ranch-house claimed their attention.
Grande
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading MACHINE GUNS The crowd had arrived in the Lone Star State only a few days before.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MACHINE GUNS The crowd had arrived in the Lone Star State only a few days before.
headquartersnounUS /ˈhedkwɔːrtərz/
(usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
hireverbUS /ˈhaɪər/
engage or hire for work
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
hoververbUS /ˈhʌvər/
be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading Old and dilapidated, a suggestion of romance seemed to hover about its cracked and yellowed adobe walls.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MACHINE GUNS The crowd had arrived in the Lone Star State only a few days before.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Old and dilapidated, a suggestion of romance seemed to hover about its cracked and yellowed adobe walls.
Ledaro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
LoneadjectiveUS /loʊn/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading MACHINE GUNS The crowd had arrived in the Lone Star State only a few days before.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading MACHINE GUNS The crowd had arrived in the Lone Star State only a few days before.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading A few miles out of town, crowning the summit of a gentle rise, an abandoned ranch-house claimed their attention.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Old and dilapidated, a suggestion of romance seemed to hover about its cracked and yellowed adobe walls.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
and nothing more
From this reading MACHINE GUNS The crowd had arrived in the Lone Star State only a few days before.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A few miles out of town, crowning the summit of a gentle rise, an abandoned ranch-house claimed their attention.
pretentiousadjectiveUS /priˈtenʃəs/
making claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
provideverbUS /prəˈvaɪd/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
ranch-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few miles out of town, crowning the summit of a gentle rise, an abandoned ranch-house claimed their attention.
RangersnounUS /ˈreɪndʒərz/
plural of “ranger” — a member of the Texas state highway patrol; formerly a mounted lawman who maintained order on the frontier
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
on the contrary
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
RionounUS /ˈriːoʊ/
the former capital and 2nd largest city of Brazil; chief Brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
move upward
From this reading A few miles out of town, crowning the summit of a gentle rise, an abandoned ranch-house claimed their attention.
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading Old and dilapidated, a suggestion of romance seemed to hover about its cracked and yellowed adobe walls.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Old and dilapidated, a suggestion of romance seemed to hover about its cracked and yellowed adobe walls.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading MACHINE GUNS The crowd had arrived in the Lone Star State only a few days before.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading MACHINE GUNS The crowd had arrived in the Lone Star State only a few days before.
stationedverbUS /ˈsteɪʃənd/
past form of “station” — assign to a station
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading Old and dilapidated, a suggestion of romance seemed to hover about its cracked and yellowed adobe walls.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading A few miles out of town, crowning the summit of a gentle rise, an abandoned ranch-house claimed their attention.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
TexasnounUS /ˈteksəs/
the second largest state; located in southwestern United States on the Gulf of Mexico
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MACHINE GUNS The crowd had arrived in the Lone Star State only a few days before.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A few miles out of town, crowning the summit of a gentle rise, an abandoned ranch-house claimed their attention.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
a special situation
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
tournounUS /tʊr/
a journey or route all the way around a particular place or area
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
TravelingnounUS /ˈtrævəlɪŋ/
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Traveling by rail, they reached a little town on the Rio Grande, visited the company headquarters of the Texas Rangers, for the time being stationed there, then put up at the rather pretentious Ledaro Hotel.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Old and dilapidated, a suggestion of romance seemed to hover about its cracked and yellowed adobe walls.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The first thing the boys did was to hire horses and provide themselves with firearms; the second, to ride off on a tour of the surrounding country.
yellowedadjective
changed to a yellowish color by age
From this reading Old and dilapidated, a suggestion of romance seemed to hover about its cracked and yellowed adobe walls.
