used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was about Ferguson's age and, like the latter, he wore two heavy guns.
how long something has existed
From this reading He was about Ferguson's age and, like the latter, he wore two heavy guns.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The girl might be an Easterner, but the young man was plainly at home in this country.
next to; at the side of
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
the lower side of anything
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The girl might be an Easterner, but the young man was plainly at home in this country.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
certaintynounUS /ˈsɜːrtənti/
the state of being certain
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
coldnessnounUS /ˈkoʊldnəs/
the sensation produced by low temperatures
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The girl might be an Easterner, but the young man was plainly at home in this country.
deliberateadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪbərət/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
EasternernounUS /ˈiːstərnər/
an inhabitant of an eastern area; especially of the U.S.
From this reading The girl might be an Easterner, but the young man was plainly at home in this country.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Ferguson's eyes lighted with satisfaction.
Ferguson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was about Ferguson's age and, like the latter, he wore two heavy guns.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
a young female
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading He was about Ferguson's age and, like the latter, he wore two heavy guns.
haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was about Ferguson's age and, like the latter, he wore two heavy guns.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading He was about Ferguson's age and, like the latter, he wore two heavy guns.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The girl might be an Easterner, but the young man was plainly at home in this country.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
inquiringlyadverb
in an inquiring manner
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading He was about Ferguson's age and, like the latter, he wore two heavy guns.
set afire or burning
From this reading Ferguson's eyes lighted with satisfaction.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He was about Ferguson's age and, like the latter, he wore two heavy guns.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The girl might be an Easterner, but the young man was plainly at home in this country.
ponynounUS /ˈpoʊniː/
a range horse of the western United States
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
with low volume
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
put a saddle on
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading Ferguson's eyes lighted with satisfaction.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The girl might be an Easterner, but the young man was plainly at home in this country.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was about Ferguson's age and, like the latter, he wore two heavy guns.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading There was about him, as he sat there sweeping a slow glance over the girl and the man, a certain atmosphere of deliberate certainty and quiet coldness that gave an impression of readiness for whatever might occur.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ferguson's eyes lighted with satisfaction.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading He was about Ferguson's age and, like the latter, he wore two heavy guns.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading THE MAN OF DRY BOTTOM A young man rode around the corner of the cabin and halted his pony beside the porch, sitting quietly in the saddle and gazing inquiringly at the two.
