used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
(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 _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That is to say he was of a good family, was well educated, and had never done anything to disgrace himself; wherefore he was received in all gentlemen's houses as an equal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
any thing at all
From this reading That is to say he was of a good family, was well educated, and had never done anything to disgrace himself; wherefore he was received in all gentlemen's houses as an equal.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
Barksdales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
behavedverbUS /bɪˈheɪvd/
past form of “behave” — behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
ChieflyadverbUS /ˈtʃiːfli/
for the most part
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
commonlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmənli/
under normal conditions
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
disgraceverbUS /dɪsˈɡreɪs/
bring shame or dishonor upon
From this reading That is to say he was of a good family, was well educated, and had never done anything to disgrace himself; wherefore he was received in all gentlemen's houses as an equal.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading That is to say he was of a good family, was well educated, and had never done anything to disgrace himself; wherefore he was received in all gentlemen's houses as an equal.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
educatedadjectiveUS /ˈedʒəkeɪtɪd/
possessing an education (especially having more than average knowledge)
From this reading That is to say he was of a good family, was well educated, and had never done anything to disgrace himself; wherefore he was received in all gentlemen's houses as an equal.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading That is to say he was of a good family, was well educated, and had never done anything to disgrace himself; wherefore he was received in all gentlemen's houses as an equal.
externaladjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɜːrnəl/
happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
a social unit living together
From this reading That is to say he was of a good family, was well educated, and had never done anything to disgrace himself; wherefore he was received in all gentlemen's houses as an equal.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
FoggyadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːɡi/
stunned or confused and slow to react (as from blows or drunkenness or exhaustion)
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
folliesnounUS /ˈfɑːliz/
a revue with elaborate costuming
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
in a free manner
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
a man of refinement
From this reading He was a gentleman, in the strict Virginian sense of the term.
gentlemen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say he was of a good family, was well educated, and had never done anything to disgrace himself; wherefore he was received in all gentlemen's houses as an equal.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
HarrisonnounUS /ˈherɪsən/
English actor on stage and in films (1908-1990)
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading That is to say he was of a good family, was well educated, and had never done anything to disgrace himself; wherefore he was received in all gentlemen's houses as an equal.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That is to say he was of a good family, was well educated, and had never done anything to disgrace himself; wherefore he was received in all gentlemen's houses as an equal.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
loonounUS /luː/
a toilet in Britain
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
many times at short intervals
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
and nothing more
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
the local environment
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
principlesnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəlz/
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
reasonablyadverbUS /ˈriːzənəbli/
to certain extent or degree
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading That is to say he was of a good family, was well educated, and had never done anything to disgrace himself; wherefore he was received in all gentlemen's houses as an equal.
relativenounUS /ˈrelətɪv/
a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
express in words
From this reading That is to say he was of a good family, was well educated, and had never done anything to disgrace himself; wherefore he was received in all gentlemen's houses as an equal.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading He was a gentleman, in the strict Virginian sense of the term.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
sportsnounUS /spɔːrts/
plural of “sport” — an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
strictadjectiveUS /strɪkt/
rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard
From this reading He was a gentleman, in the strict Virginian sense of the term.
required or under orders
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
a word or expression used for some particular thing
From this reading He was a gentleman, in the strict Virginian sense of the term.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That is to say he was of a good family, was well educated, and had never done anything to disgrace himself; wherefore he was received in all gentlemen's houses as an equal.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
twenty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈtwentifaɪv/
being five more than twenty
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
VirginiannounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjən/
a native or resident of Virginia
From this reading He was a gentleman, in the strict Virginian sense of the term.
VirginiansnounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjənz/
plural of “virginian” — a native or resident of Virginia
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
whereforeadverbUS /werˈfɔːr/
an old word meaning “why” or “for that reason”
From this reading That is to say he was of a good family, was well educated, and had never done anything to disgrace himself; wherefore he was received in all gentlemen's houses as an equal.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He was a young man of good parts, fond of field sports, reasonably well behaved in all external matters, but without any very fixed moral principles.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading _Chiefly Concerning "Foggy."_ Dr. Charles Harrison was a young man of twenty-five or six, a distant relative of the Barksdales--so distant indeed that he would never have known himself as a relative at all, if he and they had not been Virginians.
youthfuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːθfəl/
suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
From this reading He drank a little too freely on occasion, and played bluff and loo a trifle too often, the elderly people thought; but these things, it was commonly supposed, were only youthful follies.
