used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
(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 through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Are there many like that?” she asked.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Did you hear the shooting last night?” she asked, and Carver nodded.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Most of them urged on just for the love of taking chances--others on the chance of making a few dollars by selling out.”
CarvernounUS /ˈkɑːrvər/
United States botanist and agricultural chemist who developed many uses for peanuts and soy beans and sweet potatoes (1864-1943)
From this reading “Did you hear the shooting last night?” she asked, and Carver nodded.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading “Most of them urged on just for the love of taking chances--others on the chance of making a few dollars by selling out.”
cordonnounUS /ˈkɔːrdən/
a series of sentinels or of military posts enclosing or guarding some place or thing
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “Did you hear the shooting last night?” she asked, and Carver nodded.
plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading “Most of them urged on just for the love of taking chances--others on the chance of making a few dollars by selling out.”
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading “Tumbleweeds drifting through,” he said.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading “Most of them urged on just for the love of taking chances--others on the chance of making a few dollars by selling out.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
guardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Tumbleweeds drifting through,” he said.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading “Did you hear the shooting last night?” she asked, and Carver nodded.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
and nothing more
From this reading “Most of them urged on just for the love of taking chances--others on the chance of making a few dollars by selling out.”
immediately past
From this reading “Did you hear the shooting last night?” she asked, and Carver nodded.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “Are there many like that?” she asked.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading “Most of them urged on just for the love of taking chances--others on the chance of making a few dollars by selling out.”
engage in
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading “Most of them urged on just for the love of taking chances--others on the chance of making a few dollars by selling out.”
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading “Are there many like that?” she asked.
used to form the superlative
From this reading “Most of them urged on just for the love of taking chances--others on the chance of making a few dollars by selling out.”
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading “Did you hear the shooting last night?” she asked, and Carver nodded.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Most of them urged on just for the love of taking chances--others on the chance of making a few dollars by selling out.”
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “Most of them urged on just for the love of taking chances--others on the chance of making a few dollars by selling out.”
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Tumbleweeds drifting through,” he said.
sellingnounUS /ˈselɪŋ/
the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money
From this reading “Most of them urged on just for the love of taking chances--others on the chance of making a few dollars by selling out.”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Did you hear the shooting last night?” she asked, and Carver nodded.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading “Did you hear the shooting last night?” she asked, and Carver nodded.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
move stealthily
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
soonersnounUS /ˈsuːnərz/
plural of “sooner” — a native or resident of Oklahoma
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
spurtsnounUS /spɜːrts/
plural of “spurt” — the occurrence of a sudden discharge (as of liquid)
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading “Most of them urged on just for the love of taking chances--others on the chance of making a few dollars by selling out.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “Most of them urged on just for the love of taking chances--others on the chance of making a few dollars by selling out.”
in or at that place or location
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
troopersnounUS /ˈtruːpərz/
plural of “trooper” — a soldier in a motorized army unit
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
Tumbleweeds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tumbleweeds drifting through,” he said.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading “Most of them urged on just for the love of taking chances--others on the chance of making a few dollars by selling out.”
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading All through the preceding night there had been irregular spurts of rifle shots at various points along the line as troopers opened up on sooners that had watched their chance to slip through the cordon of guards and make a run for it.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Did you hear the shooting last night?” she asked, and Carver nodded.
