used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
ApachenounUS /əˈpætʃi/
any member of Athapaskan tribes that migrated to the southwestern desert (from Arizona to Texas and south into Mexico); fought a losing battle from 1861 to 1886 with the United States and were resettled in Oklahoma
From this reading It would be hard to explain the course of the Apache horseman.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It would be hard to explain the course of the Apache horseman.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
buckverbUS /bʌk/
to strive with determination
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
checkedadjectiveUS /tʃekt/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading It would be hard to explain the course of the Apache horseman.
crunchingverbUS /ˈkrʌntʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crunch” — make a crushing noise
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
without deviation
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
EAVESDROPPERnoun
a secret listener to private conversations
From this reading THE EAVESDROPPER.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading It would be hard to explain the course of the Apache horseman.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
forbidsverbUS /fərˈbɪdz/
third-person singular of “forbid” — command against
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It would be hard to explain the course of the Apache horseman.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
horsemannounUS /ˈhɔːrsmən/
a man skilled in equitation
From this reading It would be hard to explain the course of the Apache horseman.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would be hard to explain the course of the Apache horseman.
jawsnounUS /dʒɔːz/
plural of “jaw” — the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
Mendez
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
mousenounUS /maʊs/
any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It would be hard to explain the course of the Apache horseman.
on one occasion
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
ponynounUS /ˈpoʊniː/
a range horse of the western United States
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
prostrateverbUS /ˈprɑːstreɪt/
get into a prostrate position, as in submission
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
rodsnounUS /rɑːdz/
plural of “rod” — a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
scoutnounUS /skaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE EAVESDROPPER.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It would be hard to explain the course of the Apache horseman.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
toysnounUS /tɔɪz/
plural of “toy” — an artifact designed to be played with
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
triflingnounUS /ˈtraɪflɪŋ/
the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Instead of riding directly over the prostrate figure, the buck once more checked his animal, while several rods distant.
which person or people
From this reading Mendez, who was watching him intently, then perceived that instead of looking in front of his pony, he was gazing toward the further shore of the stream, as if interested there.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It looked at first as if he had been aware of the presence of the scout for some, and was trifling with him, as a cat sometimes toys with a mouse before crunching it in her jaws, but the peculiar circumstances forbids this explanation.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would be hard to explain the course of the Apache horseman.
