used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SAD SIGHT.
how long something has existed
From this reading They were men of middle age, apparently.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Stretched out stiff and stark were two figures, cold in death.
from appearances alone
From this reading They were men of middle age, apparently.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading From each the scalp had been removed, thus betraying that the murderers were Indians.
betrayingverbUS /bɪˈtreɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading From each the scalp had been removed, thus betraying that the murderers were Indians.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Stretched out stiff and stark were two figures, cold in death.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Stretched out stiff and stark were two figures, cold in death.
defileverb
place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading From each the scalp had been removed, thus betraying that the murderers were Indians.
encounteredverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərd/
past form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
divisible by two
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Stretched out stiff and stark were two figures, cold in death.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From each the scalp had been removed, thus betraying that the murderers were Indians.
death of a person
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From each the scalp had been removed, thus betraying that the murderers were Indians.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Stretched out stiff and stark were two figures, cold in death.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading From each the scalp had been removed, thus betraying that the murderers were Indians.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
the force of workers available
From this reading They were men of middle age, apparently.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading They were men of middle age, apparently.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
murderersnounUS /ˈmɜːrdərərz/
plural of “murderer” — a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being)
From this reading From each the scalp had been removed, thus betraying that the murderers were Indians.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were men of middle age, apparently.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Stretched out stiff and stark were two figures, cold in death.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading From each the scalp had been removed, thus betraying that the murderers were Indians.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading A SAD SIGHT.
scalpnounUS /skælp/
the skin that covers the top of the head
From this reading From each the scalp had been removed, thus betraying that the murderers were Indians.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading A SAD SIGHT.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
starkadjectiveUS /stɑːrk/
devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment
From this reading Stretched out stiff and stark were two figures, cold in death.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading Stretched out stiff and stark were two figures, cold in death.
stout-hearted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading Stretched out stiff and stark were two figures, cold in death.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From each the scalp had been removed, thus betraying that the murderers were Indians.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading From each the scalp had been removed, thus betraying that the murderers were Indians.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Stretched out stiff and stark were two figures, cold in death.
wagon-train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Stretched out stiff and stark were two figures, cold in death.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading A day later, while the wagon-train was slowly winding through a mountain defile, they encountered a sight which made even the stout-hearted leader look grave.
