Chapter I · Chapter 1

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

any specific behavior

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

of or relating to or characteristic of an autobiographer

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

a racetrack for thoroughbred racing in Elmont on Long Island; site of the Belmont Stakes

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

brought into existence

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

a youthful male person

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

a period of 100 years

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

in a cheerful manner

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

continuing in time or space without interruption

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

in a delightful manner

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

the system of production and distribution and consumption

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

plural of “essay” — an analytic or interpretive literary composition

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

prudence in avoiding waste

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

a social unit living together

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

United States writer and editor (1837-1920)

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

plural of “ideal” — the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

the act of beginning something new

From this reading INTRODUCTION.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

enter into a log, as on ships and planes

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

kept in good condition

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

march in a procession

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

possessive form of “martin” — French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

coming next after the eighteenth in position

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

impressive in appearance

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

plural of “occupation” — the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

and nothing more

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

plural of “passion” — a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

plural of “pastime” — a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

by chance

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

United States philosopher (1876-1957)

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

full of fun and high spirits

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

plural of “record” — anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

plural of “sketch” — preliminary drawing for later elaboration

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

act as a stimulant

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

precisely as stated

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

in or at the place that

From this reading The boy lived in a home where frugality was the law of economy, but where high ideals of noble living were cheerfully maintained, and the very occupations of the household tended to stimulate literary activity.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading These books, which seem like pastimes in the midst of Howells's serious work, are likely to live long, not only as playful autobiographic records, but as vivid pictures of life in the middle west in the middle of the nineteenth century.

a person who works at a specific occupation

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Mr. Howells has written a long series of poems, novels, sketches, stories, and essays, and has been perhaps the most continuous worker in the literary art among American writers.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading He was born at Martin's Perry, Belmont County, Ohio, March 1, 1837, and the experiences of his early life have been delightfully told by himself in _A Boy's Town_, _My Year in a Log Cabin_, and _My Literary Passions_.