Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

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

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

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

From this reading Having finished their cigars, the hunters leaped into their saddles, and rode off.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading These arms he had brought with him from the Mississippi valley, where he had learnt how to use them.

plural of “arrow” — a mark to indicate a direction or relation

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

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

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

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

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

United States pioneer and hero of the Texas revolt against Mexico; he shared command of the garrison that resisted the Mexican attack on the Alamo where he died (1796-1836)

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading These arms he had brought with him from the Mississippi valley, where he had learnt how to use them.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

plural of “cigar” — a roll of tobacco for smoking

From this reading Having finished their cigars, the hunters leaped into their saddles, and rode off.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

an engagement fought between two military forces

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

worth having or seeking or achieving

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

capable of being interpreted in two usually contradictory ways

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

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

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading Having finished their cigars, the hunters leaped into their saddles, and rode off.

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

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

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

From this reading These arms he had brought with him from the Mississippi valley, where he had learnt how to use them.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Having finished their cigars, the hunters leaped into their saddles, and rode off.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading These arms he had brought with him from the Mississippi valley, where he had learnt how to use them.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading These arms he had brought with him from the Mississippi valley, where he had learnt how to use them.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

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

From this reading These arms he had brought with him from the Mississippi valley, where he had learnt how to use them.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game

From this reading Having finished their cigars, the hunters leaped into their saddles, and rode off.

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

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Having finished their cigars, the hunters leaped into their saddles, and rode off.

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

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

in a keen or penetrating way

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

an event that causes someone to die

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

immediately past

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Having finished their cigars, the hunters leaped into their saddles, and rode off.

inflected form of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills

From this reading These arms he had brought with him from the Mississippi valley, where he had learnt how to use them.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

a large heavy knife used in Central and South America as a weapon or for cutting vegetation

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

a major North American river and the chief river of the United States; rises in northern Minnesota and flows southward into the Gulf of Mexico

From this reading These arms he had brought with him from the Mississippi valley, where he had learnt how to use them.

an offspring of a black and a white parent

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Having finished their cigars, the hunters leaped into their saddles, and rode off.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

above and across; more than

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

having a point

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

more desirable than another

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

shake with fast, tremulous movements

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

steal goods; take as spoils

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading Having finished their cigars, the hunters leaped into their saddles, and rode off.

put a saddle on

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

plural of “saddle” — a seat for the rider of a horse or other animal

From this reading Having finished their cigars, the hunters leaped into their saddles, and rode off.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

having an oblique or slanted direction

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

inflected form of “strap” — tie with a strap

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

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

From this reading Having finished their cigars, the hunters leaped into their saddles, and rode off.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Having finished their cigars, the hunters leaped into their saddles, and rode off.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading These arms he had brought with him from the Mississippi valley, where he had learnt how to use them.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These arms he had brought with him from the Mississippi valley, where he had learnt how to use them.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

the part of the leg between the hip and the knee

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

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

From this reading These arms he had brought with him from the Mississippi valley, where he had learnt how to use them.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.

the act of using

From this reading These arms he had brought with him from the Mississippi valley, where he had learnt how to use them.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading These arms he had brought with him from the Mississippi valley, where he had learnt how to use them.

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

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

at the time that

From this reading The last of these weapons--for certain purposes, such as killing game, or when a silent shot may be desirable-- is preferred to any sort of fire-arms.

in or at the place that

From this reading These arms he had brought with him from the Mississippi valley, where he had learnt how to use them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The mulatto was armed with a long rifle, of the kind used by American hunters, and a knife of the sort since known as a "Bowie," with a strong thick blade keenly pointed and double-edged for some inches from the point--a terrible weapon in close combat.

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

From this reading The zambo carried an escopeta strapped in a slanting direction along the flap of his saddle, a machete upon his thigh, and a bow with a quiver of arrows hung over his back.