used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading When Mrs. Havens had retired to the house her husband sank comfortably back into his chair and relit his pipe.
befallverbUS /bɪˈfɔːl/
become of; happen to
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
biddenverbUS /ˈbɪdɪn/
inflected form of “bid” — propose a payment
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading It was then he espied the stranger in the black slouch hat coming up the street.
a youthful male person
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
cantered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading When Mrs. Havens had retired to the house her husband sank comfortably back into his chair and relit his pipe.
Chet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
chumsnounUS /tʃʌmz/
plural of “chum” — a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading When Mrs. Havens had retired to the house her husband sank comfortably back into his chair and relit his pipe.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading It was then he espied the stranger in the black slouch hat coming up the street.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
one or the other of two
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
emergencynounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/
a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
espied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was then he espied the stranger in the black slouch hat coming up the street.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
good-byenounUS /ɡɪdˈbaɪ/
a farewell remark
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
GrubnounUS /ɡrʌb/
informal terms for a meal
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading It was then he espied the stranger in the black slouch hat coming up the street.
HavensnounUS /ˈheɪvənz/
plural of “haven” — a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading When Mrs. Havens had retired to the house her husband sank comfortably back into his chair and relit his pipe.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When Mrs. Havens had retired to the house her husband sank comfortably back into his chair and relit his pipe.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was then he espied the stranger in the black slouch hat coming up the street.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading When Mrs. Havens had retired to the house her husband sank comfortably back into his chair and relit his pipe.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
and nothing more
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading When Mrs. Havens had retired to the house her husband sank comfortably back into his chair and relit his pipe.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
relit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mrs. Havens had retired to the house her husband sank comfortably back into his chair and relit his pipe.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading When Mrs. Havens had retired to the house her husband sank comfortably back into his chair and relit his pipe.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading When Mrs. Havens had retired to the house her husband sank comfortably back into his chair and relit his pipe.
secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/
in secrecy; not openly
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
slouchnounUS /slaʊtʃ/
an incompetent person; usually used in negative constructions
From this reading It was then he espied the stranger in the black slouch hat coming up the street.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
a male human offspring
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
StakenounUS /steɪk/
(law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading It was then he espied the stranger in the black slouch hat coming up the street.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading It was then he espied the stranger in the black slouch hat coming up the street.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
SueverbUS /suː/
institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading It was then he espied the stranger in the black slouch hat coming up the street.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Silver Run was not such a large town that the owner of the Silent Sue mine did not know most of its regular inhabitants, either by name or sight.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was then he espied the stranger in the black slouch hat coming up the street.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
at the time that
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Chet’s mother secretly feared something might befall her boy on his mission to Grub Stake; while Mr. Havens was only proud that he had a son whom he could trust in such an emergency.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Mr. Havens and his wife had bidden the chums good-bye when they rode away from the house on the outskirts of Silver Run and watched them as they cantered off down the road.
