used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
the state of being absent
From this reading The absence of Feather Dog and Proud Hawk, who had been scouting toward the east, caused considerable comment.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading SIOUX SCOUTS Alert to their peril, the Sioux took every precaution against an attack.
AlertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading SIOUX SCOUTS Alert to their peril, the Sioux took every precaution against an attack.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading SIOUX SCOUTS Alert to their peril, the Sioux took every precaution against an attack.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
subject to appointment
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading SIOUX SCOUTS Alert to their peril, the Sioux took every precaution against an attack.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
berriesnounUS /ˈberiz/
plural of “berry” — any of numerous small and pulpy edible fruits; used as desserts or in making jams and jellies and preserves
From this reading There was no fire, and the evening meal consisted of the usual war rations of dried buffalo meat and berries.
buffalonounUS /ˈbʌfəloʊ/
large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains
From this reading There was no fire, and the evening meal consisted of the usual war rations of dried buffalo meat and berries.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading The absence of Feather Dog and Proud Hawk, who had been scouting toward the east, caused considerable comment.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
commentnounUS /ˈkɑːment/
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading The absence of Feather Dog and Proud Hawk, who had been scouting toward the east, caused considerable comment.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The absence of Feather Dog and Proud Hawk, who had been scouting toward the east, caused considerable comment.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading There was no fire, and the evening meal consisted of the usual war rations of dried buffalo meat and berries.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
true confidential information
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading The absence of Feather Dog and Proud Hawk, who had been scouting toward the east, caused considerable comment.
driedadjectiveUS /draɪd/
not still wet
From this reading There was no fire, and the evening meal consisted of the usual war rations of dried buffalo meat and berries.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading The absence of Feather Dog and Proud Hawk, who had been scouting toward the east, caused considerable comment.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading There was no fire, and the evening meal consisted of the usual war rations of dried buffalo meat and berries.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading SIOUX SCOUTS Alert to their peril, the Sioux took every precaution against an attack.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
FeatherverbUS /ˈfeðər/
join tongue and groove, in carpentry
From this reading The absence of Feather Dog and Proud Hawk, who had been scouting toward the east, caused considerable comment.
start firing a weapon
From this reading There was no fire, and the evening meal consisted of the usual war rations of dried buffalo meat and berries.
flanksnounUS /flæŋks/
plural of “flank” — the side of military or naval formation
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
HawknounUS /hɔːk/
diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail
From this reading The absence of Feather Dog and Proud Hawk, who had been scouting toward the east, caused considerable comment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading There was no fire, and the evening meal consisted of the usual war rations of dried buffalo meat and berries.
the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
From this reading There was no fire, and the evening meal consisted of the usual war rations of dried buffalo meat and berries.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no fire, and the evening meal consisted of the usual war rations of dried buffalo meat and berries.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading SIOUX SCOUTS Alert to their peril, the Sioux took every precaution against an attack.
picketedverbUS /ˈpɪkətɪd/
past form of “picket” — serve as pickets or post pickets
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
poniesnounUS /ˈpoʊniz/
plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
precautionnounUS /priˈkɔːʃən/
a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading SIOUX SCOUTS Alert to their peril, the Sioux took every precaution against an attack.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading The absence of Feather Dog and Proud Hawk, who had been scouting toward the east, caused considerable comment.
rationsnounUS /ˈræʃənz/
plural of “ration” — the food allowance for one day (especially for service personnel)
From this reading There was no fire, and the evening meal consisted of the usual war rations of dried buffalo meat and berries.
riddenverbUS /ˈrɪdən/
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
scoutingnounUS /ˈskaʊtɪŋ/
exploring in order to gain information
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
SCOUTSnounUS /skaʊts/
plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading SIOUX SCOUTS Alert to their peril, the Sioux took every precaution against an attack.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
SIOUXnounUS /suː/
a member of a group of North American Indian peoples who spoke a Siouan language and who ranged from Lake Michigan to the Rocky Mountains
From this reading SIOUX SCOUTS Alert to their peril, the Sioux took every precaution against an attack.
sitenounUS /saɪt/
the piece of land on which something is located (or is to be located)
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
carry out
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SIOUX SCOUTS Alert to their peril, the Sioux took every precaution against an attack.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading SIOUX SCOUTS Alert to their peril, the Sioux took every precaution against an attack.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no fire, and the evening meal consisted of the usual war rations of dried buffalo meat and berries.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SIOUX SCOUTS Alert to their peril, the Sioux took every precaution against an attack.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading SIOUX SCOUTS Alert to their peril, the Sioux took every precaution against an attack.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The absence of Feather Dog and Proud Hawk, who had been scouting toward the east, caused considerable comment.
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading There was no fire, and the evening meal consisted of the usual war rations of dried buffalo meat and berries.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading There was no fire, and the evening meal consisted of the usual war rations of dried buffalo meat and berries.
warriorsnounUS /ˈwɔːriərz/
plural of “warrior” — someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no fire, and the evening meal consisted of the usual war rations of dried buffalo meat and berries.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As the twilight slowly faded, and the night shadows settled upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle about the camp site, and details of warriors were appointed to take turns in watching through the night.
which person or people
From this reading The warriors who had been scouting behind the war party arrived at the camp site before dark, but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks failed to appear.
