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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
able
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
act
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
BELL
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From this reading BELL RICKARD.
border
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
business
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
called
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
captive
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
caught
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
character
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
deal
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From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
discovered
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
doubt
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
drop
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
enough
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From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
figure
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
getting
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From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
hardly
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
Herbert
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From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
horse
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
horses
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
information
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From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.
Lone
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From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
made
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From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.
man
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From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.
native
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
NICK
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
off
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
ordered
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
others
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From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.
out
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
own
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
pick
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From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.
RIBSAM
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
RICKARD
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From this reading BELL RICKARD.
riding
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
rough
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
secure
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
shrewdness
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
situation
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
Star
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
startling
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
State
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
suit
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
there
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
thief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
throw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
wish
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
words
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From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
youth
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From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.