used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
accompanyverbUS /əˈkʌmpəni/
be present or associated with an event or entity
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
adobenounUS /əˈdoʊbi/
the clay from which adobe bricks are made
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Everyone in the country knew where the ranch of Manos Duras was located; but very few ever cared to visit it, for the region had a bad name.
barkingverbUS /ˈbɑːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “bark” — speak in an unfriendly tone
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
blood-shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading Everyone in the country knew where the ranch of Manos Duras was located; but very few ever cared to visit it, for the region had a bad name.
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
corrals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Everyone in the country knew where the ranch of Manos Duras was located; but very few ever cared to visit it, for the region had a bad name.
cowboynounUS /ˈkaʊbɔɪ/
a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
curvesnounUS /kɜːrvz/
plural of “curve” — the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
Duras
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
elevationnounUS /ˌeləˈveɪʃən/
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
at any time
From this reading Everyone in the country knew where the ranch of Manos Duras was located; but very few ever cared to visit it, for the region had a bad name.
every person
From this reading Everyone in the country knew where the ranch of Manos Duras was located; but very few ever cared to visit it, for the region had a bad name.
opinion or judgment
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
fencedverbUS /fenst/
past form of “fence” — enclose with a fence
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Everyone in the country knew where the ranch of Manos Duras was located; but very few ever cared to visit it, for the region had a bad name.
set up or found
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Everyone in the country knew where the ranch of Manos Duras was located; but very few ever cared to visit it, for the region had a bad name.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
hovelsnounUS /ˈhʌvəlz/
plural of “hovel” — small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
hutsnounUS /hʌts/
plural of “hut” — temporary military shelter
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Everyone in the country knew where the ranch of Manos Duras was located; but very few ever cared to visit it, for the region had a bad name.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Everyone in the country knew where the ranch of Manos Duras was located; but very few ever cared to visit it, for the region had a bad name.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
leapingnounUS /ˈliːpɪŋ/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
limitsnounUS /ˈlɪməts/
plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
locatedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkeɪtəd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Everyone in the country knew where the ranch of Manos Duras was located; but very few ever cared to visit it, for the region had a bad name.
long-hairedadjective
with long hair
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
Manos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
mesanounUS /ˈmeɪsə/
flat tableland with steep edges
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Everyone in the country knew where the ranch of Manos Duras was located; but very few ever cared to visit it, for the region had a bad name.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
not one, and not any
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
notoriousadjectiveUS /noʊˈtɔːriəs/
known widely and usually unfavorably
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
something you have to do
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
and nothing more
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
PatagonianounUS /ˌpætəˈɡoʊniə/
region in southern South America between the Andes and the South Atlantic
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
having a point
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
ranch-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
reassuredadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrd/
having confidence restored; freed from anxiety
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
regionnounUS /ˈriːdʒən/
the extended spatial location of something
From this reading Everyone in the country knew where the ranch of Manos Duras was located; but very few ever cared to visit it, for the region had a bad name.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
Rojas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
cut with a saw
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
stockadesnounUS /ˈstɑːkeɪdz/
plural of “stockade” — fortification consisting of a fence made of a line of stout posts set firmly for defense
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
confined on all sides
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
trepidationnounUS /ˌtrepɪˈdeɪʃən/
a feeling of alarm or dread
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
twistingnounUS /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
under normal conditions
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
precisely as stated
From this reading Everyone in the country knew where the ranch of Manos Duras was located; but very few ever cared to visit it, for the region had a bad name.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Everyone in the country knew where the ranch of Manos Duras was located; but very few ever cared to visit it, for the region had a bad name.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His ranch-house, of adobe, was surrounded by other huts, or hovels, and a few corrals fenced in by old stockades, but only on rare occasions was any cattle to be found in them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On the road leading up to the ranch house there were none of those barking and leaping long-haired dogs with blood-shot eyes and pointed ears who usually accompany the cowboy.
at the time that
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
in or at the place that
From this reading Everyone in the country knew where the ranch of Manos Duras was located; but very few ever cared to visit it, for the region had a bad name.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
which person or people
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The notorious Manos Duras lived on an elevation of the _mesa_ from which he could see the distant limits of Patagonia on the far horizon, and below, the wide, twisting curves of the river, beyond which stretched one end of the Rojas ranch.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sometimes those who with a certain trepidation passed near by, felt reassured when they saw how solitary the place was.
