used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Reivers wanted to put the MacGregor cabin, and the scenes about it, which might remind him of Hattie, behind him with a rush.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Reivers travelled steadily for an hour at the best pace that was in him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
ankle-tendons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Reivers travelled steadily for an hour at the best pace that was in him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
bed-lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Reivers wanted to put the MacGregor cabin, and the scenes about it, which might remind him of Hattie, behind him with a rush.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Reivers travelled steadily for an hour at the best pace that was in him.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Reivers wanted to put the MacGregor cabin, and the scenes about it, which might remind him of Hattie, behind him with a rush.
calvesnounUS /kævz/
plural of “calf” — young of domestic cattle
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
a state at a particular time
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
crampnounUS /kræmp/
a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
cunningadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
desiresnounUS /dɪˈzaɪərz/
plural of “desire” — the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading He was like a wolf, suddenly released from a trap, who desires to travel far, swiftly and instantly, and who finds that the trap has made him lame.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
plural of “find” — a productive insight
From this reading He was like a wolf, suddenly released from a trap, who desires to travel far, swiftly and instantly, and who finds that the trap has made him lame.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He swore a little at first over his slow progress.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Reivers travelled steadily for an hour at the best pace that was in him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was like a wolf, suddenly released from a trap, who desires to travel far, swiftly and instantly, and who finds that the trap has made him lame.
Hattie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reivers wanted to put the MacGregor cabin, and the scenes about it, which might remind him of Hattie, behind him with a rush.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Reivers travelled steadily for an hour at the best pace that was in him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Reivers travelled steadily for an hour at the best pace that was in him.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Reivers travelled steadily for an hour at the best pace that was in him.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading He was like a wolf, suddenly released from a trap, who desires to travel far, swiftly and instantly, and who finds that the trap has made him lame.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
lamenounUS /leɪm/
someone who doesn't understand what is going on
From this reading He was like a wolf, suddenly released from a trap, who desires to travel far, swiftly and instantly, and who finds that the trap has made him lame.
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He was like a wolf, suddenly released from a trap, who desires to travel far, swiftly and instantly, and who finds that the trap has made him lame.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He swore a little at first over his slow progress.
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 It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
MacGregornounUS /məˈɡreɡər/
Scottish clan leader and outlaw who was the subject of a 1817 novel by Sir Walter Scott (1671-1734)
From this reading Reivers wanted to put the MacGregor cabin, and the scenes about it, which might remind him of Hattie, behind him with a rush.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He was like a wolf, suddenly released from a trap, who desires to travel far, swiftly and instantly, and who finds that the trap has made him lame.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Reivers wanted to put the MacGregor cabin, and the scenes about it, which might remind him of Hattie, behind him with a rush.
not any; not one
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He swore a little at first over his slow progress.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading Reivers travelled steadily for an hour at the best pace that was in him.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading He swore a little at first over his slow progress.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Reivers wanted to put the MacGregor cabin, and the scenes about it, which might remind him of Hattie, behind him with a rush.
Reivers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reivers travelled steadily for an hour at the best pace that was in him.
releasedverbUS /riˈliːst/
past form of “release” — release, as from one's grip
From this reading He was like a wolf, suddenly released from a trap, who desires to travel far, swiftly and instantly, and who finds that the trap has made him lame.
remindverbUS /riˈmaɪnd/
put in the mind of someone
From this reading Reivers wanted to put the MacGregor cabin, and the scenes about it, which might remind him of Hattie, behind him with a rush.
move hurridly
From this reading Reivers wanted to put the MacGregor cabin, and the scenes about it, which might remind him of Hattie, behind him with a rush.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading Reivers wanted to put the MacGregor cabin, and the scenes about it, which might remind him of Hattie, behind him with a rush.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading He swore a little at first over his slow progress.
snowshoenounUS /ˈsnoʊʃuː/
a device to help you walk on deep snow; a lightweight frame shaped like a racquet is strengthened with cross pieces and contains a network of thongs; one is worn on each foot
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading Reivers travelled steadily for an hour at the best pace that was in him.
stridenounUS /straɪd/
a step in walking or running
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading He was like a wolf, suddenly released from a trap, who desires to travel far, swiftly and instantly, and who finds that the trap has made him lame.
in a swift manner
From this reading He was like a wolf, suddenly released from a trap, who desires to travel far, swiftly and instantly, and who finds that the trap has made him lame.
swingverbUS /swɪŋ/
move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
sworeverbUS /swɔːr/
inflected form of “swear” — utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading He swore a little at first over his slow progress.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Reivers travelled steadily for an hour at the best pace that was in him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Reivers travelled steadily for an hour at the best pace that was in him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was like a wolf, suddenly released from a trap, who desires to travel far, swiftly and instantly, and who finds that the trap has made him lame.
trapnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading He was like a wolf, suddenly released from a trap, who desires to travel far, swiftly and instantly, and who finds that the trap has made him lame.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He was like a wolf, suddenly released from a trap, who desires to travel far, swiftly and instantly, and who finds that the trap has made him lame.
travelledadjectiveUS /ˈtrævəld/
familiar with many parts of the world
From this reading Reivers travelled steadily for an hour at the best pace that was in him.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Reivers wanted to put the MacGregor cabin, and the scenes about it, which might remind him of Hattie, behind him with a rush.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Reivers travelled steadily for an hour at the best pace that was in him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Reivers wanted to put the MacGregor cabin, and the scenes about it, which might remind him of Hattie, behind him with a rush.
which person or people
From this reading He was like a wolf, suddenly released from a trap, who desires to travel far, swiftly and instantly, and who finds that the trap has made him lame.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading It was not a good pace, for he was far from being in his old physical condition, and the lift and swing of a snowshoe will cramp the calves and ankle-tendons of a man grown soft from long bed-lying, no matter how cunning may be his stride.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Reivers wanted to put the MacGregor cabin, and the scenes about it, which might remind him of Hattie, behind him with a rush.
any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading He was like a wolf, suddenly released from a trap, who desires to travel far, swiftly and instantly, and who finds that the trap has made him lame.
