used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
on or to one side
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
avant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “En avant, mes braves,” he panted, cheerily――which was French for “Forward, my brave fellows.”
completely unclothed
From this reading Then the lieutenant continued, lightly and rapidly, up a steep bare stretch which he had found.
BasilnounUS /ˈbæzəl/
any of several Old World tropical aromatic annual or perennial herbs of the genus Ocimum
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading “En avant, mes braves,” he panted, cheerily――which was French for “Forward, my brave fellows.”
bravesnounUS /breɪvz/
plural of “brave” — a North American Indian warrior
From this reading “En avant, mes braves,” he panted, cheerily――which was French for “Forward, my brave fellows.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
CarsonnounUS /ˈkɑːrsən/
United States biologist remembered for her opposition to the use of pesticides that were hazardous to wildlife (1907-1964)
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
cheerilyadverb
in a cheerful manner
From this reading “En avant, mes braves,” he panted, cheerily――which was French for “Forward, my brave fellows.”
carefully weighed
From this reading Each picking what he considered the easiest trail, they gradually strung out.
without stop or interruption
From this reading Then the lieutenant continued, lightly and rapidly, up a steep bare stretch which he had found.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each picking what he considered the easiest trail, they gradually strung out.
easiestadjectiveUS /ˈiːziəst/
superlative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading Each picking what he considered the easiest trail, they gradually strung out.
half the width of an em
From this reading “En avant, mes braves,” he panted, cheerily――which was French for “Forward, my brave fellows.”
at any time
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading “En avant, mes braves,” he panted, cheerily――which was French for “Forward, my brave fellows.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading “En avant, mes braves,” he panted, cheerily――which was French for “Forward, my brave fellows.”
set up or found
From this reading Then the lieutenant continued, lightly and rapidly, up a steep bare stretch which he had found.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading “En avant, mes braves,” he panted, cheerily――which was French for “Forward, my brave fellows.”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Each picking what he considered the easiest trail, they gradually strung out.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
haltingadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːltɪŋ/
disabled in the feet or legs
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Each picking what he considered the easiest trail, they gradually strung out.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
and nothing more
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
KitnounUS /kɪt/
a case for containing a set of articles
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
without good reason
From this reading Then the lieutenant continued, lightly and rapidly, up a steep bare stretch which he had found.
the force of workers available
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
mes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “En avant, mes braves,” he panted, cheerily――which was French for “Forward, my brave fellows.”
moccasinsnounUS /ˈmɑːkəsɪnz/
plural of “moccasin” — soft leather shoe; originally worn by Native Americans
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
mountain-man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
mulesnounUS /mjuːlz/
plural of “mule” — hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; usually sterile
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “En avant, mes braves,” he panted, cheerily――which was French for “Forward, my brave fellows.”
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
not any; not one
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
OlivernounUS /ˈɑːləvər/
United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Each picking what he considered the easiest trail, they gradually strung out.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
pantedverbUS /ˈpæntɪd/
past form of “pant” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading “En avant, mes braves,” he panted, cheerily――which was French for “Forward, my brave fellows.”
pickingnounUS /ˈpɪkɪŋ/
the quantity of a crop that is harvested
From this reading Each picking what he considered the easiest trail, they gradually strung out.
pistolsnounUS /ˈpɪstəlz/
plural of “pistol” — a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
Preuss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
with speed
From this reading Then the lieutenant continued, lightly and rapidly, up a steep bare stretch which he had found.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
cut with a saw
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading Then the lieutenant continued, lightly and rapidly, up a steep bare stretch which he had found.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading Then the lieutenant continued, lightly and rapidly, up a steep bare stretch which he had found.
strungadjectiveUS /strʌŋ/
that is on a string
From this reading Each picking what he considered the easiest trail, they gradually strung out.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Each picking what he considered the easiest trail, they gradually strung out.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the lieutenant continued, lightly and rapidly, up a steep bare stretch which he had found.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Each picking what he considered the easiest trail, they gradually strung out.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
toiledverbUS /tɔɪld/
past form of “toil” — work hard
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading Each picking what he considered the easiest trail, they gradually strung out.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Each picking what he considered the easiest trail, they gradually strung out.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then the lieutenant continued, lightly and rapidly, up a steep bare stretch which he had found.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Oliver carried his Kit Carson rifle; and as he toiled to keep up with Basil and Mr. Preuss, just in front of him, glancing aside he saw that the lieutenant, off by himself, was halting, to change his thick moccasins for a pair of thin ones.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading The lieutenant had left his rifle down near the mules, and wore his pistols; but some of the men had no pistols and some refused to lay aside their rifles anyway, for it was against mountain-man rules ever to move from camp without rifle in hand.
