used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
a-fishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Going a-fishing?" asked Deck, as he reined in his steed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Going a-fishing?" asked Deck, as he reined in his steed.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Going a-fishing?" asked Deck, as he reined in his steed.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
Bickford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
ConfederatenounUS /kənˈfedərət/
a supporter of the Confederate States of America
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading When they had ridden a couple of miles, they met half a dozen negroes, with fishing-rods on their shoulders.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading "Going a-fishing?" asked Deck, as he reined in his steed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading When they had ridden a couple of miles, they met half a dozen negroes, with fishing-rods on their shoulders.
ENEMY'SnounUS /ˈenəmiz/
possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
fishing-rods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they had ridden a couple of miles, they met half a dozen negroes, with fishing-rods on their shoulders.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They were still in Kentucky, though not more than ten miles from the Tennessee line.
a man of refinement
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
the act of departing
From this reading "Going a-fishing?" asked Deck, as he reined in his steed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading When they had ridden a couple of miles, they met half a dozen negroes, with fishing-rods on their shoulders.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
KentuckynounUS /kənˈtʌki/
a state in east central United States; a border state during the American Civil War; famous for breeding race horses
From this reading They were still in Kentucky, though not more than ten miles from the Tennessee line.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading They were still in Kentucky, though not more than ten miles from the Tennessee line.
localitynounUS /loʊˈkæləti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading When they had ridden a couple of miles, they met half a dozen negroes, with fishing-rods on their shoulders.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading They were still in Kentucky, though not more than ten miles from the Tennessee line.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They were still in Kentucky, though not more than ten miles from the Tennessee line.
negroesnounUS /ˈniːɡroʊz/
plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading When they had ridden a couple of miles, they met half a dozen negroes, with fishing-rods on their shoulders.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When they had ridden a couple of miles, they met half a dozen negroes, with fishing-rods on their shoulders.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
reinedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “rein” — control and direct with or as if by reins
From this reading "Going a-fishing?" asked Deck, as he reined in his steed.
residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
riddenverbUS /ˈrɪdən/
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading When they had ridden a couple of miles, they met half a dozen negroes, with fishing-rods on their shoulders.
sar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes, sar.
SCOUTINGnounUS /ˈskaʊtɪŋ/
exploring in order to gain information
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
scoutsnounUS /skaʊts/
plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading When they had ridden a couple of miles, they met half a dozen negroes, with fishing-rods on their shoulders.
steednounUS /stiːd/
(literary) a spirited horse for state of war
From this reading "Going a-fishing?" asked Deck, as he reined in his steed.
not in physical motion
From this reading They were still in Kentucky, though not more than ten miles from the Tennessee line.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading They were still in Kentucky, though not more than ten miles from the Tennessee line.
TennesseenounUS /ˌtenəˈsiː/
a state in east central United States
From this reading They were still in Kentucky, though not more than ten miles from the Tennessee line.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They were still in Kentucky, though not more than ten miles from the Tennessee line.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When they had ridden a couple of miles, they met half a dozen negroes, with fishing-rods on their shoulders.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were still in Kentucky, though not more than ten miles from the Tennessee line.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading They were still in Kentucky, though not more than ten miles from the Tennessee line.
UnionistnounUS /ˈjuːnjənəst/
a worker who belongs to a trade union
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were still in Kentucky, though not more than ten miles from the Tennessee line.
at the time that
From this reading When they had ridden a couple of miles, they met half a dozen negroes, with fishing-rods on their shoulders.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When they had ridden a couple of miles, they met half a dozen negroes, with fishing-rods on their shoulders.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes, sar.
but in spite of that
From this reading SCOUTING IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY Colonel Bickford was evidently a gentleman of taste, for he had selected a beautiful locality for his residence; but the scouts had not yet learned whether he was a Unionist or a Confederate.
