used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
back-track
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And what next was to be done was very difficult to determine.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
condignadjective
fitting or appropriate and deserved; used especially of punishment
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
crawledverbUS /krɔːld/
past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
determineverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmən/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading And what next was to be done was very difficult to determine.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading And what next was to be done was very difficult to determine.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading And what next was to be done was very difficult to determine.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
endeavornounUS /ɪnˈdevər/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
a young female
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
an indirect suggestion
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN PERIL.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
inflictverbUS /ˌɪnˈflɪkt/
impose something unpleasant
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
investigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
engage in
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
medicine-chest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
murdersnounUS /ˈmɜːrdərz/
plural of “murder” — unlawful premeditated killing of a human being by a human being
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading And what next was to be done was very difficult to determine.
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
on one occasion
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
PERILnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading IN PERIL.
physiciannounUS /fəˈzɪʃən/
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
proceedingnounUS /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
the act of punishing
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
restrainedadjectiveUS /riˈstreɪnd/
cool and formal in manner
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
scoutnounUS /skaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
get by special effort
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
superstitionnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃən/
an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
unprovokedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnprəˈvoʊkt/
occurring without motivation or provocation
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
precisely as stated
From this reading And what next was to be done was very difficult to determine.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
(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 But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading And what next was to be done was very difficult to determine.
at the time that
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
wigwamnounUS /ˈwɪɡwɑːm/
a Native American lodge frequently having an oval shape and covered with bark or hides
From this reading It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.
