used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading A slight return of reason alone kept me from striking the fellow down and striding over his prostrate body.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Are you mad, Wayland?" he muttered, dragging me back into the dark interior of the tepee.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading A slight return of reason alone kept me from striking the fellow down and striding over his prostrate body.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading While I stood struggling with this temptation, Captain Heald grasped me firmly.
CHIEFSnounUS /tʃiːfs/
plural of “chief” — a person who is in charge
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading "Are you mad, Wayland?" he muttered, dragging me back into the dark interior of the tepee.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A slight return of reason alone kept me from striking the fellow down and striding over his prostrate body.
draggingadjectiveUS /ˈdræɡɪŋ/
marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner
From this reading "Are you mad, Wayland?" he muttered, dragging me back into the dark interior of the tepee.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
exceptingverbUS /ˌekˈseptɪŋ/
-ing form of “except” — take exception to
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
expostulationnoun
the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
a boy or man
From this reading A slight return of reason alone kept me from striking the fellow down and striding over his prostrate body.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
with resolute determination
From this reading While I stood struggling with this temptation, Captain Heald grasped me firmly.
forgetfuladjectiveUS /fɔːrˈɡetfəl/
(of memory) deficient in retentiveness or range
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A slight return of reason alone kept me from striking the fellow down and striding over his prostrate body.
motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
a young female
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
graspedverbUS /ɡræspt/
past form of “grasp” — hold firmly
From this reading While I stood struggling with this temptation, Captain Heald grasped me firmly.
gun-stock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Are you mad, Wayland?" he muttered, dragging me back into the dark interior of the tepee.
Heald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While I stood struggling with this temptation, Captain Heald grasped me firmly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading "Are you mad, Wayland?" he muttered, dragging me back into the dark interior of the tepee.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "Are you mad, Wayland?" he muttered, dragging me back into the dark interior of the tepee.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading A slight return of reason alone kept me from striking the fellow down and striding over his prostrate body.
roused to anger
From this reading "Are you mad, Wayland?" he muttered, dragging me back into the dark interior of the tepee.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading "Are you mad, Wayland?" he muttered, dragging me back into the dark interior of the tepee.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A slight return of reason alone kept me from striking the fellow down and striding over his prostrate body.
persistedverbUS /pərˈsɪstɪd/
past form of “persist” — continue to exist
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
pretendingnounUS /priˈtendɪŋ/
the act of giving a false appearance
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
prostrateverbUS /ˈprɑːstreɪt/
get into a prostrate position, as in submission
From this reading A slight return of reason alone kept me from striking the fellow down and striding over his prostrate body.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading A slight return of reason alone kept me from striking the fellow down and striding over his prostrate body.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading A slight return of reason alone kept me from striking the fellow down and striding over his prostrate body.
roughlyadverbUS /ˈrʌfli/
(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
scowlingadjectiveUS /ˈskaʊlɪŋ/
sullen or unfriendly in appearance
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
significantadjectiveUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
important in effect or meaning
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading A slight return of reason alone kept me from striking the fellow down and striding over his prostrate body.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading While I stood struggling with this temptation, Captain Heald grasped me firmly.
stridingverbUS /ˈstraɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “stride” — walk with long steps
From this reading A slight return of reason alone kept me from striking the fellow down and striding over his prostrate body.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading A slight return of reason alone kept me from striking the fellow down and striding over his prostrate body.
strugglingadjectiveUS /ˈstrʌɡəlɪŋ/
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading While I stood struggling with this temptation, Captain Heald grasped me firmly.
temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading While I stood struggling with this temptation, Captain Heald grasped me firmly.
tepeenoun
a Native American tent; usually of conical shape
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
warriornounUS /ˈwɔːriər/
someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
WaylandnounUS /ˈweɪlənd/
(European mythology) a supernatural smith and king of the elves; identified with Norse Volund
From this reading "Are you mad, Wayland?" he muttered, dragging me back into the dark interior of the tepee.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While I stood struggling with this temptation, Captain Heald grasped me firmly.
which person or people
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A COUNCIL OF CHIEFS I was on my feet in an instant, forgetful of everything excepting my duty to this girl whom I had come so far to find, and who now was plainly a prisoner in Indian hands.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
the words that are spoken
From this reading At the entrance of the tepee, a scowling warrior pushed me roughly back, pretending not to understand my eager words of expostulation, and, by significant gesture, threatening to brain me with his gun-stock if I persisted.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Are you mad, Wayland?" he muttered, dragging me back into the dark interior of the tepee.
