used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Simply she had yielded to an impulse of fear, of curiosity and perhaps to some other instinct that was partly protective.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
next to; at the side of
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But just why she had followed the two men and what her motive was for concealing herself she did not try to explain to herself.
chancedverbUS /tʃænst/
past form of “chance” — be the case by chance
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
concealingnounUS /kənˈsiːlɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading But just why she had followed the two men and what her motive was for concealing herself she did not try to explain to herself.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading Simply she had yielded to an impulse of fear, of curiosity and perhaps to some other instinct that was partly protective.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But just why she had followed the two men and what her motive was for concealing herself she did not try to explain to herself.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading But just why she had followed the two men and what her motive was for concealing herself she did not try to explain to herself.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Simply she had yielded to an impulse of fear, of curiosity and perhaps to some other instinct that was partly protective.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading But just why she had followed the two men and what her motive was for concealing herself she did not try to explain to herself.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But just why she had followed the two men and what her motive was for concealing herself she did not try to explain to herself.
fortressnounUS /ˈfɔːrtrəs/
a fortified defensive structure
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But just why she had followed the two men and what her motive was for concealing herself she did not try to explain to herself.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading But just why she had followed the two men and what her motive was for concealing herself she did not try to explain to herself.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
an instinctive motive
From this reading Simply she had yielded to an impulse of fear, of curiosity and perhaps to some other instinct that was partly protective.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading Simply she had yielded to an impulse of fear, of curiosity and perhaps to some other instinct that was partly protective.
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
and nothing more
From this reading But just why she had followed the two men and what her motive was for concealing herself she did not try to explain to herself.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
the force of workers available
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
Merrit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
miniaturenounUS /ˈmɪniətʃʊr/
painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading But just why she had followed the two men and what her motive was for concealing herself she did not try to explain to herself.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But just why she had followed the two men and what her motive was for concealing herself she did not try to explain to herself.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Simply she had yielded to an impulse of fear, of curiosity and perhaps to some other instinct that was partly protective.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading Simply she had yielded to an impulse of fear, of curiosity and perhaps to some other instinct that was partly protective.
by chance
From this reading Simply she had yielded to an impulse of fear, of curiosity and perhaps to some other instinct that was partly protective.
protectiveadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪv/
intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind
From this reading Simply she had yielded to an impulse of fear, of curiosity and perhaps to some other instinct that was partly protective.
RainbownounUS /ˈreɪnboʊ/
an arc of colored light in the sky caused by refraction of the sun's rays by rain
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
and nothing more
From this reading Simply she had yielded to an impulse of fear, of curiosity and perhaps to some other instinct that was partly protective.
move stealthily
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Simply she had yielded to an impulse of fear, of curiosity and perhaps to some other instinct that was partly protective.
having a supporting base
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading And they chanced to be standing close together near one of the big rocks that rose like a miniature fortress beside Rainbow Creek.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading But just why she had followed the two men and what her motive was for concealing herself she did not try to explain to herself.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But just why she had followed the two men and what her motive was for concealing herself she did not try to explain to herself.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But just why she had followed the two men and what her motive was for concealing herself she did not try to explain to herself.
in or at the place that
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading But just why she had followed the two men and what her motive was for concealing herself she did not try to explain to herself.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading "COURAGE MAKES THE MAN" THERE were as many as twenty men waiting to talk to Ralph Merrit within the vicinity of the Rainbow Mine.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading After Ralph had entered the group, Jean managed without being observed to slip behind this rock where she was in safe hiding.
yieldedverbUS /ˈjiːldɪd/
past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of
From this reading Simply she had yielded to an impulse of fear, of curiosity and perhaps to some other instinct that was partly protective.
