Chapter XVII · A Country Fair on the Frontier

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

plural of “advertisement” — a public promotion of some product or service

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

be able to spare or give up

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

(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 That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

using the voice; not silently

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged.

in addition

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

plural of “announcement” — a formal public statement

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

completing its life cycle within a year

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

a group of persons together in one place

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

tried unsuccessfully

From this reading More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Everything was going to be just the real thing—the miners’ drilling contest, the roping competition, the bucking-broncho features, and so on.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Everything was going to be just the real thing—the miners’ drilling contest, the roping competition, the bucking-broncho features, and so on.

a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

a long trough for feeding cattle

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

a business relation in which two parties compete to gain customers

From this reading Everything was going to be just the real thing—the miners’ drilling contest, the roping competition, the bucking-broncho features, and so on.

an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants

From this reading Everything was going to be just the real thing—the miners’ drilling contest, the roping competition, the bucking-broncho features, and so on.

plural of “contest” — an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged.

plural of “cowboy” — a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

something intended to communicate a particular impression

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

the act of drilling

From this reading Everything was going to be just the real thing—the miners’ drilling contest, the roping competition, the bucking-broncho features, and so on.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

of or relating to an article stating opinions or giving perspectives

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

at any time

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Everything was going to be just the real thing—the miners’ drilling contest, the roping competition, the bucking-broncho features, and so on.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Everything was going to be just the real thing—the miners’ drilling contest, the roping competition, the bucking-broncho features, and so on.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

the act of departing

From this reading Everything was going to be just the real thing—the miners’ drilling contest, the roping competition, the bucking-broncho features, and so on.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

highest in quality

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

plural of “headline” — the heading or caption of a newspaper article

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

and nothing more

From this reading Everything was going to be just the real thing—the miners’ drilling contest, the roping competition, the bucking-broncho features, and so on.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

plural of “miner” — laborer who works in a mine

From this reading Everything was going to be just the real thing—the miners’ drilling contest, the roping competition, the bucking-broncho features, and so on.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged.

plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

formed into a structured or coherent whole, particularly on a large scale

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime

From this reading More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

past form of “predict” — make a prediction about; tell in advance

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading Everything was going to be just the real thing—the miners’ drilling contest, the roping competition, the bucking-broncho features, and so on.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged.

capturing cattle or horses with a lasso

From this reading Everything was going to be just the real thing—the miners’ drilling contest, the roping competition, the bucking-broncho features, and so on.

a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)

From this reading More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged.

plural of “shield” — a protective covering or structure

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Everything was going to be just the real thing—the miners’ drilling contest, the roping competition, the bucking-broncho features, and so on.

so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged.

in or at that place or location

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

a special situation

From this reading Everything was going to be just the real thing—the miners’ drilling contest, the roping competition, the bucking-broncho features, and so on.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading That night every line of the full page advertisements, also the columns of editorial elaborations on the contests and other events, were read aloud to an eager assemblage of all hands in front of the bunk house.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

at the time that

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

which person or people

From this reading More than a score of outlaw horses that had thrown every cow-puncher who ever attempted to ride them had already been engaged.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THERE was great excitement among the bunch of cowboys on the Shields’ ranch when the local newspapers came out with startling headlines and full announcements in regard to the annual frontier celebration.

past form of “witness” — be a witness to

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.

possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The Dillon Doublejack predicted that this year’s celebration would undoubtedly afford the greatest Wild West show ever witnessed outside of a regular circus display organized as a money-making undertaking.