used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading The gloom of the bush ere the moon rose added to his difficulties.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
bushnounUS /bʊʃ/
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading The gloom of the bush ere the moon rose added to his difficulties.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
DurhamnounUS /ˈdɜːrəm/
a city of north central North Carolina; site of Duke University
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
an old word for “before”
From this reading The gloom of the bush ere the moon rose added to his difficulties.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
glitteredverbUS /ˈɡlɪtərd/
past form of “glitter” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading The gloom of the bush ere the moon rose added to his difficulties.
gulliesnounUS /ˈɡʌliz/
plural of “gully” — deep ditch cut by running water (especially after a prolonged downpour)
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
havennounUS /ˈheɪvən/
a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
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 There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
lashverbUS /læʃ/
beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
engage in
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
a particular point in time
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
mountain-streams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
and nothing more
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
outlawnounUS /ˈaʊtlɔː/
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
pathsnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
pickingnounUS /ˈpɪkɪŋ/
the quantity of a crop that is harvested
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
plungingverbUS /ˈplʌndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
poolnounUS /puːl/
an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
racedverbUS /reɪst/
past form of “race” — move hurridly
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
Rider'snounUS /ˈraɪdərz/
possessive form of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
risksnounUS /rɪsks/
plural of “risk” — a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
rock-strewn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The gloom of the bush ere the moon rose added to his difficulties.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
sheennounUS /ʃiːn/
the visual property of something that shines with reflected light
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
silveryadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlvəri/
resembling or reminiscent of silver
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
slopesnounUS /sloʊps/
plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
sombre-foliaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
sparingadjectiveUS /ˈsperɪŋ/
avoiding waste
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
move hurridly
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
spurnounUS /spɜːr/
a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
steeps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
in or at that place or location
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From the moment he reached the ridge to find only the marks made by the plunging horse he had raced to get there first.
the upper part of anything
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
topmostadjective
at or nearest to the top
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
UNMASKEDverbUS /ənˈmæskt/
past form of “unmask” — reveal the true nature of
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading UNMASKED The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff above the Rider's cave.
urgeverbUS /ɜːrdʒ/
force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Down the sharp slopes of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash to urge it along.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
people who are wounded
From this reading There was no time to choose the easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the shelter of his haven.
