used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading For he bore the men no ill will because their decision had not agreed with his.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading And he had not asked them.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
for the reason that
From this reading For he bore the men no ill will because their decision had not agreed with his.
cause to be bored
From this reading For he bore the men no ill will because their decision had not agreed with his.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
CaldwellnounUS /ˈkɔːldwel/
United States author remembered for novels about poverty and degeneration (1903-1987)
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading For he bore the men no ill will because their decision had not agreed with his.
characterized by great determination
From this reading He had not expected them to do as he was determined to do.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He had not expected them to do as he was determined to do.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading He had not expected them to do as he was determined to do.
fadeverbUS /feɪd/
become less clearly visible or distinguishable; disappear gradually or seemingly
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For he bore the men no ill will because their decision had not agreed with his.
the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
GarynounUS /ˈɡeri/
a city in northwest Indiana on Lake Michigan; steel production
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
the act of departing
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
gulfnounUS /ɡʌlf/
an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For he bore the men no ill will because their decision had not agreed with his.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading For he bore the men no ill will because their decision had not agreed with his.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
ironicadjectiveUS /aɪˈrɑːnɪk/
humorously sarcastic or mocking
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
Lawler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
the force of workers available
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
moonlitadjectiveUS /ˈmuːnlɪt/
lighted by moonlight
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
not any; not one
From this reading For he bore the men no ill will because their decision had not agreed with his.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For he bore the men no ill will because their decision had not agreed with his.
OBSTACLEnounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəl/
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
ranchesnounUS /ˈræntʃəz/
plural of “ranch” — farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
cut with a saw
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
having a supporting base
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
WardennounUS /ˈwɔːr.dən/
The chief official or governor in charge of a prison institution.
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading For he bore the men no ill will because their decision had not agreed with his.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE SECOND OBSTACLE Lawler went outside with Caldwell and the others--after Caldwell returned from his visit to Gary Warden--and, standing in the flickering glare of light from inside the hotel, he watched the men ride away.
yawningadjectiveUS /ˈjɔːnɪŋ/
gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something
From this reading There was a smile on his lips as he saw them fade into the yawning gulf of moonlit distance,--going in different directions toward their ranches--an ironic smile, softened by understanding and friendship.
