used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
accidental-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
eagerly desirous
From this reading ANXIOUS WAITING.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Have you seen the trail?" asked Dick.
astoundingadjectiveUS /əˈstaʊndɪŋ/
bewildering or striking dumb with wonder
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
carefully weighed
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
consolationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəˈleɪʃən/
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
contingencynounUS /kənˈtɪndʒənsi/
a possible event or occurrence or result
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
characterized by great determination
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
someone who is a detective
From this reading "Have you seen the trail?" asked Dick.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
a quad with a square body
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
growledverbUS /ɡraʊld/
past form of “growl” — to utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Have you seen the trail?" asked Dick.
hoss-thieves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
huntersnounUS /ˈhʌntərz/
plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
information about recent and important events
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
ontoprepositionUS /ˈɑːntuː/
moving to a position on a surface
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
picketedverbUS /ˈpɪkətɪd/
past form of “picket” — serve as pickets or post pickets
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
reg'lar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
relieve from
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
get by special effort
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Have you seen the trail?" asked Dick.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
stumbledverbUS /ˈstʌmbəld/
past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
suddennessnounUS /ˈsʌdənnəs/
the quality of happening with headlong haste or without warning
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
they've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
male cat
From this reading "They didn't find them themselves," growled Tom, as if determined on finding consolation in that fact; "they've stumbled onto 'em accidental-like, and then rid off, as though they were smart enough to be reg'lar hoss-thieves."
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading "Have you seen the trail?" asked Dick.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
veterannounUS /ˈvetərən/
a serviceman who has seen considerable active service
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading ANXIOUS WAITING.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This was astounding news, indeed, and for a few minutes the two veteran hunters were completely taken back.
in or at the place that
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They had considered the place where their animals were picketed as being so secure that the contingency of losing them was not thought of until it came upon them with the suddenness mentioned.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Have you seen the trail?" asked Dick.
