used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Desperately the boys sought to guide their mounts so as to avoid the frequent badger holes.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading Desperately the boys sought to guide their mounts so as to avoid the frequent badger holes.
badgerverbUS /ˈbædʒər/
annoy persistently
From this reading Desperately the boys sought to guide their mounts so as to avoid the frequent badger holes.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading In a single moment, it seemed, they had left the group of quakermasts behind, and were mounting the side of a small hill.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Desperately the boys sought to guide their mounts so as to avoid the frequent badger holes.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Direction was forgotten in the mad rush to escape those dripping fangs now so close.
crashingadjectiveUS /ˈkræʃɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
DesperatelyadverbUS /ˈdespərətli/
with great urgency
From this reading Desperately the boys sought to guide their mounts so as to avoid the frequent badger holes.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Direction was forgotten in the mad rush to escape those dripping fangs now so close.
drippingnounUS /ˈdrɪpɪŋ/
a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)
From this reading Direction was forgotten in the mad rush to escape those dripping fangs now so close.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Direction was forgotten in the mad rush to escape those dripping fangs now so close.
opinion or judgment
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
fangsnounUS /fæŋz/
plural of “fang” — a Bantu language spoken in Cameroon
From this reading Direction was forgotten in the mad rush to escape those dripping fangs now so close.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading Direction was forgotten in the mad rush to escape those dripping fangs now so close.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading Desperately the boys sought to guide their mounts so as to avoid the frequent badger holes.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading In a single moment, it seemed, they had left the group of quakermasts behind, and were mounting the side of a small hill.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading Desperately the boys sought to guide their mounts so as to avoid the frequent badger holes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In a single moment, it seemed, they had left the group of quakermasts behind, and were mounting the side of a small hill.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading In a single moment, it seemed, they had left the group of quakermasts behind, and were mounting the side of a small hill.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
holesnounUS /hoʊlz/
plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something
From this reading Desperately the boys sought to guide their mounts so as to avoid the frequent badger holes.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Direction was forgotten in the mad rush to escape those dripping fangs now so close.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In a single moment, it seemed, they had left the group of quakermasts behind, and were mounting the side of a small hill.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading In a single moment, it seemed, they had left the group of quakermasts behind, and were mounting the side of a small hill.
roused to anger
From this reading Direction was forgotten in the mad rush to escape those dripping fangs now so close.
misstepnounUS /mɪsˈstep/
an unintentional but embarrassing blunder
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
a particular point in time
From this reading In a single moment, it seemed, they had left the group of quakermasts behind, and were mounting the side of a small hill.
mountingnounUS /ˈmaʊntɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading In a single moment, it seemed, they had left the group of quakermasts behind, and were mounting the side of a small hill.
mountsnounUS /maʊnts/
plural of “mount” — a lightweight horse kept for riding only
From this reading Desperately the boys sought to guide their mounts so as to avoid the frequent badger holes.
necksnounUS /neks/
plural of “neck” — the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Direction was forgotten in the mad rush to escape those dripping fangs now so close.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
and nothing more
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
outstretchedadjectiveUS /aʊtˈstretʃt/
fully extended especially in length
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
poniesnounUS /ˈpoʊniz/
plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
quakermasts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a single moment, it seemed, they had left the group of quakermasts behind, and were mounting the side of a small hill.
quiveringnounUS /ˈkwɪvərɪŋ/
a shaky motion
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
ravenousadjectiveUS /ˈrævənəs/
extremely hungry
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
free from harm or evil
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
ridernounUS /ˈraɪdər/
a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
move hurridly
From this reading Direction was forgotten in the mad rush to escape those dripping fangs now so close.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading In a single moment, it seemed, they had left the group of quakermasts behind, and were mounting the side of a small hill.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading In a single moment, it seemed, they had left the group of quakermasts behind, and were mounting the side of a small hill.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In a single moment, it seemed, they had left the group of quakermasts behind, and were mounting the side of a small hill.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Direction was forgotten in the mad rush to escape those dripping fangs now so close.
that is looked for
From this reading Desperately the boys sought to guide their mounts so as to avoid the frequent badger holes.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Desperately the boys sought to guide their mounts so as to avoid the frequent badger holes.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In a single moment, it seemed, they had left the group of quakermasts behind, and were mounting the side of a small hill.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Direction was forgotten in the mad rush to escape those dripping fangs now so close.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Direction was forgotten in the mad rush to escape those dripping fangs now so close.
treacherousadjectiveUS /ˈtretʃərəs/
dangerously unstable and unpredictable
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
unevenadjectiveUS /əˈniːvən/
not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Direction was forgotten in the mad rush to escape those dripping fangs now so close.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In a single moment, it seemed, they had left the group of quakermasts behind, and were mounting the side of a small hill.
a Caucasian
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
in the company of; together with
From this reading RESCUE With necks outstretched, flesh quivering, and eyes white from fear, the ponies flashed across the prairie.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The ground was uneven, treacherous, and each rider knew that a single misstep would send his horse crashing to earth, the only hope, then, being that the fall, and not the teeth of the ravenous animals, would bring death.
