used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
adobenounUS /əˈdoʊbi/
the clay from which adobe bricks are made
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE TAKING OF THE TOWN The December sun, clear and cold, bathed the whole town in light.
bathedverbUS /beɪðd/
past form of “bathe” — cleanse the entire body
From this reading THE TAKING OF THE TOWN The December sun, clear and cold, bathed the whole town in light.
boomverbUS /buːm/
make a resonant sound, like artillery
From this reading The crash of rifles and muskets was incessant, and every minute or two came the heavy boom of the cannon with which Cos swept the streets.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading The Texans themselves now pulled the trigger but little, calmly waiting their opportunity.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The crash of rifles and muskets was incessant, and every minute or two came the heavy boom of the cannon with which Cos swept the streets.
cannonnounUS /ˈkænən/
a large artillery gun that is usually on wheels
From this reading The crash of rifles and muskets was incessant, and every minute or two came the heavy boom of the cannon with which Cos swept the streets.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
rid of obstructions
From this reading THE TAKING OF THE TOWN The December sun, clear and cold, bathed the whole town in light.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading THE TAKING OF THE TOWN The December sun, clear and cold, bathed the whole town in light.
comradesnounUS /ˈkɑːmrædz/
plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Ned and his comrades still lay on the roof of the Veramendi house.
CosnounUS /kɔːs/
ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle
From this reading The crash of rifles and muskets was incessant, and every minute or two came the heavy boom of the cannon with which Cos swept the streets.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading The crash of rifles and muskets was incessant, and every minute or two came the heavy boom of the cannon with which Cos swept the streets.
DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/
the last (12th) month of the year
From this reading THE TAKING OF THE TOWN The December sun, clear and cold, bathed the whole town in light.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The crash of rifles and muskets was incessant, and every minute or two came the heavy boom of the cannon with which Cos swept the streets.
to or in any or all places
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
coins made of gold
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The crash of rifles and muskets was incessant, and every minute or two came the heavy boom of the cannon with which Cos swept the streets.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ned and his comrades still lay on the roof of the Veramendi house.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Ned and his comrades still lay on the roof of the Veramendi house.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE TAKING OF THE TOWN The December sun, clear and cold, bathed the whole town in light.
incessantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsesənt/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading The crash of rifles and muskets was incessant, and every minute or two came the heavy boom of the cannon with which Cos swept the streets.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Ned and his comrades still lay on the roof of the Veramendi house.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading THE TAKING OF THE TOWN The December sun, clear and cold, bathed the whole town in light.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Texans themselves now pulled the trigger but little, calmly waiting their opportunity.
MexicansnounUS /ˈmeksɪkənz/
plural of “mexican” — a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading The crash of rifles and muskets was incessant, and every minute or two came the heavy boom of the cannon with which Cos swept the streets.
muskets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The crash of rifles and muskets was incessant, and every minute or two came the heavy boom of the cannon with which Cos swept the streets.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ned and his comrades still lay on the roof of the Veramendi house.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The Texans themselves now pulled the trigger but little, calmly waiting their opportunity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TAKING OF THE TOWN The December sun, clear and cold, bathed the whole town in light.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The Texans themselves now pulled the trigger but little, calmly waiting their opportunity.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
puffsnounUS /pʌfs/
plural of “puff” — a short light gust of air
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading The Texans themselves now pulled the trigger but little, calmly waiting their opportunity.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading The crash of rifles and muskets was incessant, and every minute or two came the heavy boom of the cannon with which Cos swept the streets.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Ned and his comrades still lay on the roof of the Veramendi house.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
not in physical motion
From this reading Ned and his comrades still lay on the roof of the Veramendi house.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading THE TAKING OF THE TOWN The December sun, clear and cold, bathed the whole town in light.
possessing sweep
From this reading The crash of rifles and muskets was incessant, and every minute or two came the heavy boom of the cannon with which Cos swept the streets.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading THE TAKING OF THE TOWN The December sun, clear and cold, bathed the whole town in light.
TexansnounUS /ˈteksənz/
plural of “texan” — a native or resident of Texas
From this reading The Texans themselves now pulled the trigger but little, calmly waiting their opportunity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TAKING OF THE TOWN The December sun, clear and cold, bathed the whole town in light.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Texans themselves now pulled the trigger but little, calmly waiting their opportunity.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The Texans themselves now pulled the trigger but little, calmly waiting their opportunity.
tintedverbUS /ˈtɪntɪd/
past form of “tint” — color lightly
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading THE TAKING OF THE TOWN The December sun, clear and cold, bathed the whole town in light.
triggerverbUS /ˈtrɪɡər/
put in motion or move to act
From this reading The Texans themselves now pulled the trigger but little, calmly waiting their opportunity.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The crash of rifles and muskets was incessant, and every minute or two came the heavy boom of the cannon with which Cos swept the streets.
Veramendi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ned and his comrades still lay on the roof of the Veramendi house.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading The Texans themselves now pulled the trigger but little, calmly waiting their opportunity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The crash of rifles and muskets was incessant, and every minute or two came the heavy boom of the cannon with which Cos swept the streets.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
a Caucasian
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading THE TAKING OF THE TOWN The December sun, clear and cold, bathed the whole town in light.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Houses, whether of stone, adobe or wood, were tinted a while with gold, but everywhere in the streets and over the roofs floated white puffs of smoke from the firing, which had never ceased on the part of the Mexicans.
