used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It promised to be a banner year for Circle Ranch.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
anew
From this reading There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
bannernounUS /ˈbænər/
long strip of cloth or paper used for decoration or advertising
From this reading It promised to be a banner year for Circle Ranch.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
brandnounUS /brænd/
a name given to a product or service
From this reading There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading It promised to be a banner year for Circle Ranch.
clean-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
climaxnounUS /ˈklaɪmæks/
the highest point of anything conceived of as growing or developing or unfolding
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
corralverbUS /kərˈæl/
enclose in a corral
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
cowboysnounUS /ˈkaʊbɔɪz/
plural of “cowboy” — a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
cowsnounUS /kaʊz/
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
depredationsnounUS /ˌdeprəˈdeɪʃənz/
plural of “depredation” — an act of plundering and pillaging and marauding
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
designedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪnd/
done or made or performed with purpose and intent
From this reading There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It promised to be a banner year for Circle Ranch.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
HaywoodnounUS /ˈheɪwʊd/
United States labor leader and militant socialist who was one of the founders of the Industrial Workers of the World (1869-1928)
From this reading There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
herdnounUS /hɜːrd/
a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It promised to be a banner year for Circle Ranch.
and nothing more
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
knotsnounUS /nɑːts/
plural of “knot” — a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
something that is lost
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
most important element
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
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 There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
markingnounUS /ˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
a distinguishing symbol
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
mountsnounUS /maʊnts/
plural of “mount” — a lightweight horse kept for riding only
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading It promised to be a banner year for Circle Ranch.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
raidverbUS /reɪd/
search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
RanchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading It promised to be a banner year for Circle Ranch.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
round-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
rustlersnounUS /ˈrʌsələrz/
plural of “rustler” — someone who steals livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
stampverbUS /stæmp/
walk heavily
From this reading There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
steersnounUS /stɪrz/
plural of “steer” — an indication of potential opportunity
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
TRAPnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
unclaimedadjectiveUS /ənˈkleɪmd/
not claimed or called for by an owner or assignee
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
weariedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪrid/
exhausted
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
(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 There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The cowboys had taken their wearied mounts to the corral, and were themselves gathering in little knots, to talk over the exciting events marking the start of the regular Fall clean-up.
winteredverbUS /ˈwɪntərd/
past form of “winter” — spend the winter
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
wolvesnounUS /wʊlvz/
plural of “wolf” — any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading Besides, the main herd had wintered better the preceding year than for a long time; there had been less loss through wolves, and the depredations of rustlers; and, to cap the climax, many unclaimed cows and steers had fallen to the colonel, after his raid on Lost Valley.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading SETTING THE TRAP Just as Bob had remarked, the hard work of the first day of the grand round-up seemed to be done.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading It promised to be a banner year for Circle Ranch.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading There were half again as many young cattle to brand with the well known ring, designed to stamp them as the property of Colonel Haywood.
