used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
on or to one side
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
Bangs's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
bridle-rein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
broguenoun
a thick and heavy shoe
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
buggynounUS /ˈbʌɡi/
a small lightweight carriage; drawn by a single horse
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
depotnounUS /ˈdiːpoʊ/
station where transport vehicles load or unload passengers or goods
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
opinion or judgment
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
brought together in one place
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
HeathnounUS /hiːθ/
a low evergreen shrub of the family Ericaceae; has small bell-shaped pink or purple flowers
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
people of Ireland or of Irish extraction
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
the force of workers available
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
Miriam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
not any; not one
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
O'Rourke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
officiousnessnoun
aggressiveness as evidenced by intruding; by advancing yourself or your ideas without invitation
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
overpleased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
Phelim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
with low volume
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
reinedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “rein” — control and direct with or as if by reins
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
possessing material wealth
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
uttered with a trill
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
move hurridly
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
plural of “see” — the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
for a short time
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
snortingnounUS /ˈsnɔːrtɪŋ/
an act of forcible exhalation
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
in the near future
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
stableadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪbəl/
resistant to change of position or condition
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
carry out
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
throngnounUS /θrɔːŋ/
a large gathering of people
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
create by training and teaching
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “Shall I take his head, miss?” asked a voice in a rich Irish brogue, and Phelim O’Rourke, hurrying from Bangs’s stable to join the waiting throng, sprang hastily forward and seized the bridle-rein.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
look attentively
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
westward-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little crowd, mostly men, were gathered about the depot door to watch the arrival of the westward-bound evening train.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
wildlyadverbUS /ˈwaɪldli/
to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree
From this reading At the first sound of the whistle, instantly followed by the rush and roar of the train, the animal started aside, snorting, and rolling his eyes wildly.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “No; I can hold him; he will be quiet enough as soon as he sees what it is,” Miriam answered shortly, not overpleased at the officiousness of the man.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading A few yards farther from the track, Miriam Heath, seated in a buggy, had reined in her horse and was quietly waiting.
