used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
anew
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
(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 KILLED BY THE INDIANS For the next few days we were all very busy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
assistedadjectiveUS /əˈsɪstɪd/
having help; often used as a combining form
From this reading I assisted Jack in trapping beaver and he helped me in killing buffalo and taking care of the wolfskins.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
baitingnounUS /ˈbeɪtɪŋ/
harassment especially of a tethered animal
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
beavernounUS /ˈbiːvər/
the soft brown fur of the beaver
From this reading I assisted Jack in trapping beaver and he helped me in killing buffalo and taking care of the wolfskins.
the lower side of anything
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
buffalonounUS /ˈbʌfəloʊ/
large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains
From this reading I assisted Jack in trapping beaver and he helped me in killing buffalo and taking care of the wolfskins.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading KILLED BY THE INDIANS For the next few days we were all very busy.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading KILLED BY THE INDIANS For the next few days we were all very busy.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading I assisted Jack in trapping beaver and he helped me in killing buffalo and taking care of the wolfskins.
being joined in close association
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading KILLED BY THE INDIANS For the next few days we were all very busy.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading KILLED BY THE INDIANS For the next few days we were all very busy.
finishingnounUS /ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/
a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading KILLED BY THE INDIANS For the next few days we were all very busy.
set up or found
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I assisted Jack in trapping beaver and he helped me in killing buffalo and taking care of the wolfskins.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading I assisted Jack in trapping beaver and he helped me in killing buffalo and taking care of the wolfskins.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I assisted Jack in trapping beaver and he helped me in killing buffalo and taking care of the wolfskins.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading KILLED BY THE INDIANS For the next few days we were all very busy.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading KILLED BY THE INDIANS For the next few days we were all very busy.
killingnounUS /ˈkɪlɪŋ/
an event that causes someone to die
From this reading I assisted Jack in trapping beaver and he helped me in killing buffalo and taking care of the wolfskins.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
most important element
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I assisted Jack in trapping beaver and he helped me in killing buffalo and taking care of the wolfskins.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading KILLED BY THE INDIANS For the next few days we were all very busy.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I assisted Jack in trapping beaver and he helped me in killing buffalo and taking care of the wolfskins.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
pondsnounUS /pɑːndz/
plural of “pond” — a small lake
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
skinning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
sloughsnounUS /slʌfs/
plural of “slough” — necrotic tissue; a mortified or gangrenous part or mass
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
a lightweight cord
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading I assisted Jack in trapping beaver and he helped me in killing buffalo and taking care of the wolfskins.
tasksnounUS /tæsks/
plural of “task” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading KILLED BY THE INDIANS For the next few days we were all very busy.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
male cat
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
touchesnounUS /ˈtʌtʃəz/
plural of “touch” — the event of something coming in contact with the body
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
trappingnounUS /ˈtræpɪŋ/
stable gear consisting of a decorated covering for a horse, especially (formerly) for a warhorse
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
unitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
precisely as stated
From this reading KILLED BY THE INDIANS For the next few days we were all very busy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading KILLED BY THE INDIANS For the next few days we were all very busy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading KILLED BY THE INDIANS For the next few days we were all very busy.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Tom was putting the finishing touches on our quarters, while Jack and I were doing the trapping, baiting, and skinning.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At a distance of about three miles down the creek, on the north side, we found a series of connected sloughs leading off from the creek out into the prairie bottom, through which a string of little ponds ran for about a mile and then united with the main stream again.
wolfskins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I assisted Jack in trapping beaver and he helped me in killing buffalo and taking care of the wolfskins.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading While working at these tasks we were riding the surrounding country, east and west, up and down the creek, and north and south in open prairie.
