the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an inviting chance for Warren to return the fire with the best prospect of doing so effectively.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But he had no disposition to slay any one of the hostiles.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading It was an inviting chance for Warren to return the fire with the best prospect of doing so effectively.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he had no disposition to slay any one of the hostiles.
calculatedadjectiveUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtɪd/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading It was an inviting chance for Warren to return the fire with the best prospect of doing so effectively.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading He was nigh enough to make his shot dangerous, though providentially it did no ill.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He was nigh enough to make his shot dangerous, though providentially it did no ill.
your usual mood
From this reading But he had no disposition to slay any one of the hostiles.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading It was an inviting chance for Warren to return the fire with the best prospect of doing so effectively.
effectivelyadverbUS /ɪˈfektɪvli/
in an effective manner
From this reading It was an inviting chance for Warren to return the fire with the best prospect of doing so effectively.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He was nigh enough to make his shot dangerous, though providentially it did no ill.
start firing a weapon
From this reading It was an inviting chance for Warren to return the fire with the best prospect of doing so effectively.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
foremostadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmoʊst/
ranking above all others
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
only a very short time before
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
HORSEMANnounUS /ˈhɔːrsmən/
a man skilled in equitation
From this reading THE LONE HORSEMAN.
hostiles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he had no disposition to slay any one of the hostiles.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading He was nigh enough to make his shot dangerous, though providentially it did no ill.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
invitingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
attractive and tempting
From this reading It was an inviting chance for Warren to return the fire with the best prospect of doing so effectively.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was nigh enough to make his shot dangerous, though providentially it did no ill.
LONEadjectiveUS /loʊn/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading THE LONE HORSEMAN.
engage in
From this reading He was nigh enough to make his shot dangerous, though providentially it did no ill.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
nighadjectiveUS /naɪ/
not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances
From this reading He was nigh enough to make his shot dangerous, though providentially it did no ill.
not any; not one
From this reading He was nigh enough to make his shot dangerous, though providentially it did no ill.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But he had no disposition to slay any one of the hostiles.
the possibility of future success
From this reading It was an inviting chance for Warren to return the fire with the best prospect of doing so effectively.
providentiallyadverb
in a fortunately providential manner
From this reading He was nigh enough to make his shot dangerous, though providentially it did no ill.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
ranchernounUS /ˈræntʃər/
a person who owns or operates a ranch
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading It was an inviting chance for Warren to return the fire with the best prospect of doing so effectively.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
put a saddle on
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading He was nigh enough to make his shot dangerous, though providentially it did no ill.
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 The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
slayverbUS /sleɪ/
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading But he had no disposition to slay any one of the hostiles.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was an inviting chance for Warren to return the fire with the best prospect of doing so effectively.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LONE HORSEMAN.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He was nigh enough to make his shot dangerous, though providentially it did no ill.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was nigh enough to make his shot dangerous, though providentially it did no ill.
WarrennounUS /ˈwɔːrən/
United States writer and poet (1905-1989)
From this reading It was an inviting chance for Warren to return the fire with the best prospect of doing so effectively.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
at the time that
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was an inviting chance for Warren to return the fire with the best prospect of doing so effectively.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The young rancher had calculated matters closely, for hardly was he in the saddle when the foremost of the running Sioux halted, raised his gun, and fired.
