used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A GAME AT HAZARD.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His hearers gave a nod of assent, but no one made an answer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
react verbally
From this reading His hearers gave a nod of assent, but no one made an answer.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
assentnounUS /əˈsent/
agreement with a statement or proposal to do something
From this reading His hearers gave a nod of assent, but no one made an answer.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A GAME AT HAZARD.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
Bloodson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His hearers gave a nod of assent, but no one made an answer.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
CedarnounUS /ˈsiːdər/
any of numerous trees of the family Cupressaceae that resemble cedars
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
ComanchesnounUS /kəˈmæntʃiz/
plural of “comanche” — a member of the Shoshonean people who formerly lived between Wyoming and the Mexican border but are now chiefly in Oklahoma
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
contestnounUS /ˈkɑːntest/
an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
without stop or interruption
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
employverbUS /emˈplɔɪ/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
explainingverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
firstlyadverbUS /ˈfɜːrstli/
before anything else
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading A GAME AT HAZARD.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading His hearers gave a nod of assent, but no one made an answer.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
HAZARDnounUS /ˈhæzərd/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading A GAME AT HAZARD.
hearersnounUS /ˈhiːrərz/
plural of “hearer” — someone who listens attentively
From this reading His hearers gave a nod of assent, but no one made an answer.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His hearers gave a nod of assent, but no one made an answer.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
someone who hunts game
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
lastlyadverbUS /ˈlæstli/
the item at the end
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading His hearers gave a nod of assent, but no one made an answer.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
not any; not one
From this reading His hearers gave a nod of assent, but no one made an answer.
nodverbUS /nɑːd/
express or signify by nodding
From this reading His hearers gave a nod of assent, but no one made an answer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His hearers gave a nod of assent, but no one made an answer.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
privationsnounUS /praɪˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “privation” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
rangersnounUS /ˈreɪndʒərz/
plural of “ranger” — a member of the Texas state highway patrol; formerly a mounted lawman who maintained order on the frontier
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
squatternounUS /ˈskwɑːtər/
someone who settles lawfully on government land with the intent to acquire title to it
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
confined on all sides
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
express in words
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The squatter continued-- "We are surrounded on three sides: firstly, by the Comanches, next by Bloodson's rangers, and lastly by the French hunter and his friends.
WeakenedadjectiveUS /ˈwiːkənd/
impaired by diminution
From this reading Weakened as we are by the terrible privations we have suffered since we came into the mountains, any contest is impossible; we must, therefore, give up all hope of opening a passage by force."
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
at the time that
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
hope for; have a wish
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Before explaining my plan to you," Red Cedar went on, "I must tell you what our position really is, so that when I have described the means I wish to employ, you can decide with a full knowledge of the facts."
