used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
the two together, not just one
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading "It's the same outfit coming back," he explained.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
desolationnounUS /ˌdesəˈleɪʃən/
the state of being decayed or destroyed
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
without deviation
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
disputingverbUS /dɪsˈpjuːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “dispute” — take exception to
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
droopingadjectiveUS /ˈdruːpɪŋ/
weak from exhaustion
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
dunenounUS /duːn/
a ridge of sand created by the wind; found in deserts or near lakes and oceans
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading "It's the same outfit coming back," he explained.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
hold firmly
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "It's the same outfit coming back," he explained.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
an opening into or through something
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's the same outfit coming back," he explained.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
jerkingnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrkɪŋ/
an abrupt spasmodic movement
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
and nothing more
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
marshalverbUS /ˈmɑːrʃəl/
place in proper rank
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
the force of workers available
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
miragenounUS /mərˈɑːʒ/
an optical illusion in which atmospheric refraction by a layer of hot air distorts or inverts reflections of distant objects
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
in motion
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
not any; not one
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
outfitnounUS /ˈaʊtfɪt/
any cohesive unit such as a military company
From this reading "It's the same outfit coming back," he explained.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
poniesnounUS /ˈpoʊniz/
plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
poppedverbUS /pɑːpt/
inflected form of “pop” — bulge outward
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
Identical; not different.
From this reading "It's the same outfit coming back," he explained.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
strainingnounUS /ˈstreɪnɪŋ/
an intense or violent exertion
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
SunkenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌŋkən/
having a sunken area
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
believed likely
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
precisely as stated
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
wagonnounUS /ˈwæɡən/
any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "The Sunken Valley must be out there--just a hole in the surface of the desert--and that's how that wagon popped up out of the earth the way it did.
Westcott
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading For a moment both men suspected that what they looked upon was a mirage--its actual existence there in that place seemed impossible.
in or at the place that
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Westcott was first to grasp the truth, hastily jerking the marshal back to where the tired ponies stood with drooping heads behind the protection of the dune.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)
From this reading Yet there was no disputing the fact, that yonder in the very midst of that desolation of sand, a wagon drawn by straining horses was slowly moving directly toward them.
