used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
(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 All this the boy saw in the single second which followed his start of surprise on perceiving the revolver at his ear.
Allan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
confined by bonds
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
a youthful male person
From this reading All this the boy saw in the single second which followed his start of surprise on perceiving the revolver at his ear.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading All this the boy saw in the single second which followed his start of surprise on perceiving the revolver at his ear.
ex-plainsman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
apart from; not including
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
the organ of sight
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading All this the boy saw in the single second which followed his start of surprise on perceiving the revolver at his ear.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading "HANDS UP!"
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
heavieradjectiveUS /ˈheviər/
comparative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading All this the boy saw in the single second which followed his start of surprise on perceiving the revolver at his ear.
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
HopkinsnounUS /ˈhɑːpkɪnz/
United States educator and theologian (1802-1887)
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading All this the boy saw in the single second which followed his start of surprise on perceiving the revolver at his ear.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
Jed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
mechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/
in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
musclenounUS /ˈmʌsəl/
one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
not one, and not any
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading All this the boy saw in the single second which followed his start of surprise on perceiving the revolver at his ear.
on one occasion
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
perceivingverbUS /pərˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “perceive” — to become aware of through the senses
From this reading All this the boy saw in the single second which followed his start of surprise on perceiving the revolver at his ear.
pimplyadjective
(of complexion) blemished by imperfections of the skin
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
cut with a saw
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading All this the boy saw in the single second which followed his start of surprise on perceiving the revolver at his ear.
sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
shorteradjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrtər/
comparative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading All this the boy saw in the single second which followed his start of surprise on perceiving the revolver at his ear.
slouchnounUS /slaʊtʃ/
an incompetent person; usually used in negative constructions
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading All this the boy saw in the single second which followed his start of surprise on perceiving the revolver at his ear.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading All this the boy saw in the single second which followed his start of surprise on perceiving the revolver at his ear.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All this the boy saw in the single second which followed his start of surprise on perceiving the revolver at his ear.
bound or secured closely
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
twinklingnounUS /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
unshavenadjectiveUS /ənˈʃeɪvən/
not shaved
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "HANDS UP!"
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading A slouch hat was pulled down over the eyes and a dirty red handkerchief tied over the mouth and chin, so that none of the face was visible except a short section of red, pimply, and unshaven cheek.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
at the time that
From this reading For an instant, Allan fancied that Jed Hopkins was playing a joke upon him, but when he glanced at the figure behind the revolver, he saw at once that it was shorter and heavier than that of the ex-plainsman.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading All this the boy saw in the single second which followed his start of surprise on perceiving the revolver at his ear.
wristsnounUS /rɪsts/
plural of “wrist” — a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
From this reading "Hands up," muttered a hoarse voice, before Allan had time to move a muscle, and as he mechanically obeyed, his hands were seized from behind and bound together at the wrists in the twinkling of an eye.
