Chapter XI · A Horse Trade

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

an increase by natural growth or addition

From this reading On the rough porch of a saloon a swamper swept away an accumulation of playing-cards, cigarette-butts, and other litter of a gambling-house and saloon.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading On the rough porch of a saloon a swamper swept away an accumulation of playing-cards, cigarette-butts, and other litter of a gambling-house and saloon.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading On the rough porch of a saloon a swamper swept away an accumulation of playing-cards, cigarette-butts, and other litter of a gambling-house and saloon.

a heavy block of iron or steel on which hot metals are shaped by hammering

From this reading From a blacksmith shop came the musical clank of a hammer on anvil, as the smithy tuned up for his morning task.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading The cards slithered away in the breeze like autumn leaves.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading On the rough porch of a saloon a swamper swept away an accumulation of playing-cards, cigarette-butts, and other litter of a gambling-house and saloon.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Two cowboys came from the doorway of a small hotel, pausing for a moment on the edge of the sidewalk, before crossing the street toward a cafe.

a smith who forges and shapes iron with a hammer and anvil

From this reading From a blacksmith shop came the musical clank of a hammer on anvil, as the smithy tuned up for his morning task.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

quick and energetic

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

a small restaurant where drinks and snacks are sold

From this reading Two cowboys came from the doorway of a small hotel, pausing for a moment on the edge of the sidewalk, before crossing the street toward a cafe.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading From a blacksmith shop came the musical clank of a hammer on anvil, as the smithy tuned up for his morning task.

a game played with playing cards

From this reading The cards slithered away in the breeze like autumn leaves.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the rough porch of a saloon a swamper swept away an accumulation of playing-cards, cigarette-butts, and other litter of a gambling-house and saloon.

make a clank

From this reading From a blacksmith shop came the musical clank of a hammer on anvil, as the smithy tuned up for his morning task.

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 It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

plural of “cowboy” — a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback

From this reading Two cowboys came from the doorway of a small hotel, pausing for a moment on the edge of the sidewalk, before crossing the street toward a cafe.

traveling across

From this reading Two cowboys came from the doorway of a small hotel, pausing for a moment on the edge of the sidewalk, before crossing the street toward a cafe.

the first light of day

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading Two cowboys came from the doorway of a small hotel, pausing for a moment on the edge of the sidewalk, before crossing the street toward a cafe.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading Two cowboys came from the doorway of a small hotel, pausing for a moment on the edge of the sidewalk, before crossing the street toward a cafe.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading From a blacksmith shop came the musical clank of a hammer on anvil, as the smithy tuned up for his morning task.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From a blacksmith shop came the musical clank of a hammer on anvil, as the smithy tuned up for his morning task.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the rough porch of a saloon a swamper swept away an accumulation of playing-cards, cigarette-butts, and other litter of a gambling-house and saloon.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled

From this reading From a blacksmith shop came the musical clank of a hammer on anvil, as the smithy tuned up for his morning task.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading Two cowboys came from the doorway of a small hotel, pausing for a moment on the edge of the sidewalk, before crossing the street toward a cafe.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

someone in charge of other people

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading The cards slithered away in the breeze like autumn leaves.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The cards slithered away in the breeze like autumn leaves.

the offspring at one birth of a multiparous mammal

From this reading On the rough porch of a saloon a swamper swept away an accumulation of playing-cards, cigarette-butts, and other litter of a gambling-house and saloon.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

a particular point in time

From this reading Two cowboys came from the doorway of a small hotel, pausing for a moment on the edge of the sidewalk, before crossing the street toward a cafe.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

characterized by or capable of producing music

From this reading From a blacksmith shop came the musical clank of a hammer on anvil, as the smithy tuned up for his morning task.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the rough porch of a saloon a swamper swept away an accumulation of playing-cards, cigarette-butts, and other litter of a gambling-house and saloon.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading On the rough porch of a saloon a swamper swept away an accumulation of playing-cards, cigarette-butts, and other litter of a gambling-house and saloon.

-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading Two cowboys came from the doorway of a small hotel, pausing for a moment on the edge of the sidewalk, before crossing the street toward a cafe.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the rough porch of a saloon a swamper swept away an accumulation of playing-cards, cigarette-butts, and other litter of a gambling-house and saloon.

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading On the rough porch of a saloon a swamper swept away an accumulation of playing-cards, cigarette-butts, and other litter of a gambling-house and saloon.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading On the rough porch of a saloon a swamper swept away an accumulation of playing-cards, cigarette-butts, and other litter of a gambling-house and saloon.

a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter

From this reading On the rough porch of a saloon a swamper swept away an accumulation of playing-cards, cigarette-butts, and other litter of a gambling-house and saloon.

do one's shopping

From this reading From a blacksmith shop came the musical clank of a hammer on anvil, as the smithy tuned up for his morning task.

walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway

From this reading Two cowboys came from the doorway of a small hotel, pausing for a moment on the edge of the sidewalk, before crossing the street toward a cafe.

hit with something flat, like a paddle or the open hand

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The cards slithered away in the breeze like autumn leaves.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Two cowboys came from the doorway of a small hotel, pausing for a moment on the edge of the sidewalk, before crossing the street toward a cafe.

a workplace where metal is worked by heating and hammering

From this reading From a blacksmith shop came the musical clank of a hammer on anvil, as the smithy tuned up for his morning task.

resistant to change of position or condition

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Two cowboys came from the doorway of a small hotel, pausing for a moment on the edge of the sidewalk, before crossing the street toward a cafe.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the rough porch of a saloon a swamper swept away an accumulation of playing-cards, cigarette-butts, and other litter of a gambling-house and saloon.

possessing sweep

From this reading On the rough porch of a saloon a swamper swept away an accumulation of playing-cards, cigarette-butts, and other litter of a gambling-house and saloon.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading From a blacksmith shop came the musical clank of a hammer on anvil, as the smithy tuned up for his morning task.

a cooperative unit (especially in sports)

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

the part of the leg between the hip and the knee

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

in the direction of

From this reading Two cowboys came from the doorway of a small hotel, pausing for a moment on the edge of the sidewalk, before crossing the street toward a cafe.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

a narrow depression (as in the earth or between ocean waves or in the ocean bed)

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

past form of “tune” — adjust for (better) functioning

From this reading From a blacksmith shop came the musical clank of a hammer on anvil, as the smithy tuned up for his morning task.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two cowboys came from the doorway of a small hotel, pausing for a moment on the edge of the sidewalk, before crossing the street toward a cafe.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading From a blacksmith shop came the musical clank of a hammer on anvil, as the smithy tuned up for his morning task.

in a violent manner

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

(of silk fabric) having a wavelike pattern

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

accept gladly

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was early morning in the town of Welcome; the cold gray dawn of a fall morning, with a brisk breeze, which caused the livery-stable keeper to slap his hands violently against his thigh, as he watered a team of horses at the trough in front of the stable.