used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Westcott was first at the rim, staring eagerly downward.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
bunk-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
cabinsnounUS /ˈkæbənz/
plural of “cabin” — small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading It was growing dusk down there in the depths, yet was still light enough to enable him to perceive movement, and the outlines of the cabins.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
cross-leggedadverb
with the legs crossed
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
recognizable; marked
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading It was growing dusk down there in the depths, yet was still light enough to enable him to perceive movement, and the outlines of the cabins.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was growing dusk down there in the depths, yet was still light enough to enable him to perceive movement, and the outlines of the cabins.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading Westcott was first at the rim, staring eagerly downward.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading It was growing dusk down there in the depths, yet was still light enough to enable him to perceive movement, and the outlines of the cabins.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading Westcott was first at the rim, staring eagerly downward.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading It was growing dusk down there in the depths, yet was still light enough to enable him to perceive movement, and the outlines of the cabins.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading It was growing dusk down there in the depths, yet was still light enough to enable him to perceive movement, and the outlines of the cabins.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Westcott was first at the rim, staring eagerly downward.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading It was growing dusk down there in the depths, yet was still light enough to enable him to perceive movement, and the outlines of the cabins.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was growing dusk down there in the depths, yet was still light enough to enable him to perceive movement, and the outlines of the cabins.
horsemannounUS /ˈhɔːrsmən/
a man skilled in equitation
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
temporary military shelter
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It was growing dusk down there in the depths, yet was still light enough to enable him to perceive movement, and the outlines of the cabins.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
the force of workers available
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading It was growing dusk down there in the depths, yet was still light enough to enable him to perceive movement, and the outlines of the cabins.
being perceived or observed
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading It was growing dusk down there in the depths, yet was still light enough to enable him to perceive movement, and the outlines of the cabins.
to become aware of through the senses
From this reading It was growing dusk down there in the depths, yet was still light enough to enable him to perceive movement, and the outlines of the cabins.
punctuatedverbUS /ˈpʌŋktʃuːeɪtɪd/
past form of “punctuate” — insert punctuation marks into
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
rimnounUS /rɪm/
the shape of a raised edge of a more or less circular object
From this reading Westcott was first at the rim, staring eagerly downward.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
spurringnounUS /ˈspɜːrɪŋ/
a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Westcott was first at the rim, staring eagerly downward.
not in physical motion
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
swarmnounUS /swɔːrm/
a moving crowd
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
in or at that place or location
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading For a moment all he noticed was a man lying on the ground in front of the small hut, but almost immediately men began to swarm out through the door of the bunk-house, and a horseman came spurring from the field beyond.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was growing dusk down there in the depths, yet was still light enough to enable him to perceive movement, and the outlines of the cabins.
undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
Westcott
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Westcott was first at the rim, staring eagerly downward.
at the time that
From this reading They were still sitting there cross-legged in the sand when the silence was suddenly punctuated by the sharp report of a revolver.
but in spite of that
From this reading The sound barely reached their ears, yet it undoubtedly came from below, and all three were upon their feet, when a second shot decided the matter.
