used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The upper portion of Fool’s Castle, rising high above the stockade, rapidly became stronger.
AllennounUS /ˈælən/
United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The hills were rocky, rather barren, with treacherous declivities and steep descents.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
appealedverbUS /əˈpiːld/
past form of “appeal” — take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
barrenadjectiveUS /ˈbærən/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading The hills were rocky, rather barren, with treacherous declivities and steep descents.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The upper portion of Fool’s Castle, rising high above the stockade, rapidly became stronger.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
Clifton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
clingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
compassionnounUS /kəmˈpæʃən/
a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
declivities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hills were rocky, rather barren, with treacherous declivities and steep descents.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
descentsnounUS /dɪˈsents/
plural of “descent” — a movement downward
From this reading The hills were rocky, rather barren, with treacherous declivities and steep descents.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
move gently or carefully
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
FOOL'SnounUS /fuːlz/
possessive form of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
gallopverbUS /ˈɡæləp/
ride at a galloping pace
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
in a gradual manner
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The upper portion of Fool’s Castle, rising high above the stockade, rapidly became stronger.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The hills were rocky, rather barren, with treacherous declivities and steep descents.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
impatiencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/
a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
immediately past
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
and nothing more
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
ponynounUS /ˈpoʊniː/
a range horse of the western United States
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The upper portion of Fool’s Castle, rising high above the stockade, rapidly became stronger.
preventedverbUS /prɪˈventɪd/
past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
ranch-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
with speed
From this reading The upper portion of Fool’s Castle, rising high above the stockade, rapidly became stronger.
on the contrary
From this reading The hills were rocky, rather barren, with treacherous declivities and steep descents.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading The upper portion of Fool’s Castle, rising high above the stockade, rapidly became stronger.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading The hills were rocky, rather barren, with treacherous declivities and steep descents.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading The hills were rocky, rather barren, with treacherous declivities and steep descents.
stockadenounUS /ˈstɑːkeɪd/
fortification consisting of a fence made of a line of stout posts set firmly for defense
From this reading The upper portion of Fool’s Castle, rising high above the stockade, rapidly became stronger.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The upper portion of Fool’s Castle, rising high above the stockade, rapidly became stronger.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
male cat
From this reading The thought of an old deserted ranch-house with so much history clinging about it appealed strongly to Tom Clifton’s imagination.
treacherousadjectiveUS /ˈtretʃərəs/
dangerously unstable and unpredictable
From this reading The hills were rocky, rather barren, with treacherous declivities and steep descents.
the topmost one of two
From this reading The upper portion of Fool’s Castle, rising high above the stockade, rapidly became stronger.
Walt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The hills were rocky, rather barren, with treacherous declivities and steep descents.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His curiosity and impatience increased as the distance which lay between them was gradually cut down, and only compassion for the pony prevented him from taking the last stretch on a fast gallop.
in the company of; together with
From this reading FOOL’S CASTLE The former ranch-house of Walt Allen could only be reached with any degree of ease from the open country.
