Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading The prairie sod was torn by the hoofs of a hundred ponies.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

(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 around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

projectiles to be fired from a gun

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

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

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

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

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

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

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

past form of “bloat” — become bloated or swollen or puff up

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The prairie sod was torn by the hoofs of a hundred ponies.

the dead body of an animal especially one slaughtered and dressed for food

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

in a cheerful manner

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

past form of “circle” — travel around something

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

having or marked by confidence or assurance

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

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

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

a ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

having gaps or spaces

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading That was evident.

plural of “foe” — an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

unflinching in battle or action

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

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

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

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

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal

From this reading The prairie sod was torn by the hoofs of a hundred ponies.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

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

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

ten 10s

From this reading The prairie sod was torn by the hoofs of a hundred ponies.

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

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

take somebody somewhere

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

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

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

(used of persons or behavior) characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The prairie sod was torn by the hoofs of a hundred ponies.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

and nothing more

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

above and across; more than

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

in a plucky manner

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States

From this reading The prairie sod was torn by the hoofs of a hundred ponies.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

a treeless grassy plain

From this reading The prairie sod was torn by the hoofs of a hundred ponies.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

easily perceived; easy to become aware of

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

any object that is left unused or still extant

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

the shape of a raised edge of a more or less circular object

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

the display of a motion picture

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

without speaking

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots

From this reading The prairie sod was torn by the hoofs of a hundred ponies.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

characterized by speed; moving with or capable of moving with high speed

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

the act of becoming stiff

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

not in physical motion

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

occupy a large, elongated area

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

confined on all sides

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That was evident.

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

From this reading The prairie sod was torn by the hoofs of a hundred ponies.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

a set with 3 times 20 members

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

up to a particular time

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

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

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

having edges that are jagged from injury

From this reading The prairie sod was torn by the hoofs of a hundred ponies.

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

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

plural of “warrior” — someone engaged in or experienced in warfare

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

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

From this reading The prairie sod was torn by the hoofs of a hundred ponies.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

toward the west

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.

which person or people

From this reading Here along the rim of the shallow basin, each behind the bloated and stiffening carcass of his horse,--each surrounded by threescore copper shells, showing that he had fought till hope and ammunition both were gone,--lay the poor remains of the gallant boys who had ridden silently away in obedience to their orders on the previous afternoon,--recognizable now only by their teeth or some still ungashed body mark.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading All around a little sink in the surface at a distance of several hundred yards the warriors must have dashed and circled for full an hour.

uttering a loud inarticulate cry as of pain or excitement

From this reading How long they had pluckily, cheerily held out, confident of the speedy coming of the comrades from over that westward spur, and therefore less miserly of their lead and eager to stretch some of their yelling foes upon the sward, could now only be conjectured.