used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
Annersley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Life with the storekeeper had been tame.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
Concho
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
well in the past; former
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading And Pete would not do that.
one or the other of two
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
fatefuladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtfəl/
having momentous consequences; of decisive importance
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
illustrativeadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈlʌstrətɪv/
clarifying by use of examples
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life with the storekeeper had been tame.
MexicannounUS /ˈmeksəkən/
a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
not any; not one
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
originatedverbUS /ərˈɪdʒəneɪtəd/
past form of “originate” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
Pete
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
possibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
raidverbUS /reɪd/
search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
express in words
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
sheep-herder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
sheriffnounUS /ˈʃerəf/
the principal law-enforcement officer in a county
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
express in speech
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
storekeepernounUS /ˈstɔːrkiːpər/
a merchant who owns or manages a shop
From this reading Life with the storekeeper had been tame.
stretchingnounUS /ˈstretʃɪŋ/
act of expanding by lengthening or widening
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
tameverbUS /teɪm/
correct by punishment or discipline
From this reading Life with the storekeeper had been tame.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
ultimatumnounUS /ˌʌltəˈmeɪtəm/
a final peremptory demand
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
except if; if not
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
at the time that
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading And Pete Annersley's history will have to speak for itself as illustrative of a plan from which he could not have departed any more than he could have originated and followed to its final ultimatum.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Pete had no horse; and the sheriff, taking him at his word, had refused to give up either one of the rifles unless Pete would declare which one he had used that fateful night of the raid.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading A CHANGE OF BASE To say that Young Pete had any definite plan when he left Concho and took up with an old Mexican sheep-herder would be stretching the possibilities.
