adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading There was always a tinder-box in some safe corner or other, and fire was kindled by striking flint and steel upon the tinder.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
antiquitynounUS /ænˈtɪkwəti/
the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
Beverly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
bornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/
brought into existence
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We used tallow candles and oil lamps, and sat by open fireplaces.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading We used tallow candles and oil lamps, and sat by open fireplaces.
ceasedverbUS /siːst/
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
clocknounUS /klɑːk/
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading There was always a tinder-box in some safe corner or other, and fire was kindled by striking flint and steel upon the tinder.
doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
EasternadjectiveUS /ˈiːstərn/
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
elsewhereadverbUS /ˈelswer/
in or to another place
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading There was always a tinder-box in some safe corner or other, and fire was kindled by striking flint and steel upon the tinder.
fireplacesnounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪsəz/
plural of “fireplace” — an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading We used tallow candles and oil lamps, and sat by open fireplaces.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
first-settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
flintnounUS /flɪnt/
a hard kind of stone; a form of silica more opaque than chalcedony
From this reading There was always a tinder-box in some safe corner or other, and fire was kindled by striking flint and steel upon the tinder.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
half-rustic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
housesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/
ten 10s
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
kindledadjectiveUS /ˈkɪndəld/
set afire
From this reading There was always a tinder-box in some safe corner or other, and fire was kindled by striking flint and steel upon the tinder.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading We used tallow candles and oil lamps, and sat by open fireplaces.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
MassachusettsnounUS /ˌmæsəˈtʃuːsəts/
a state in New England; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
mother-century
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
oilnounUS /ɔɪl/
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading We used tallow candles and oil lamps, and sat by open fireplaces.
OldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading We used tallow candles and oil lamps, and sat by open fireplaces.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There was always a tinder-box in some safe corner or other, and fire was kindled by striking flint and steel upon the tinder.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There was always a tinder-box in some safe corner or other, and fire was kindled by striking flint and steel upon the tinder.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
PrimitiveadjectiveUS /ˈprɪmətɪv/
belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
quarternounUS /ˈkwɔːrtər/
one of four equal parts
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
roundingnounUS /ˈraʊndɪŋ/
(mathematics) a miscalculation that results from rounding off numbers to a convenient number of decimals
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
safeadjectiveUS /seɪf/
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading There was always a tinder-box in some safe corner or other, and fire was kindled by striking flint and steel upon the tinder.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading We used tallow candles and oil lamps, and sat by open fireplaces.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There was always a tinder-box in some safe corner or other, and fire was kindled by striking flint and steel upon the tinder.
SouthnounUS /saʊθ/
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
steelnounUS /stiːl/
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading There was always a tinder-box in some safe corner or other, and fire was kindled by striking flint and steel upon the tinder.
steeplenounUS /ˈstiːpəl/
a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
strikingadjectiveUS /ˈstraɪkɪŋ/
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading There was always a tinder-box in some safe corner or other, and fire was kindled by striking flint and steel upon the tinder.
tallownounUS /ˈtæloʊ/
obtained from suet and used in making soap, candles and lubricants
From this reading We used tallow candles and oil lamps, and sat by open fireplaces.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
tindernounUS /ˈtɪndər/
material for starting a fire
From this reading There was always a tinder-box in some safe corner or other, and fire was kindled by striking flint and steel upon the tinder.
tinder-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was always a tinder-box in some safe corner or other, and fire was kindled by striking flint and steel upon the tinder.
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
townsnounUS /taʊnz/
plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There was always a tinder-box in some safe corner or other, and fire was kindled by striking flint and steel upon the tinder.
usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading We used tallow candles and oil lamps, and sat by open fireplaces.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
viewnounUS /vjuː/
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading But, in fact, I first saw the light in the very middle of Beverly, in full view of the town clock and the Old South steeple.
villagesnounUS /ˈvɪlədʒəz/
plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
waysnounUS /weɪz/
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We used tallow candles and oil lamps, and sat by open fireplaces.
weather-worn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
whollyadverbUS /ˈhoʊli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Primitive ways of doing things had not wholly ceased during my childhood; they were kept up in these old towns longer than elsewhere.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
woreverbUS /wɔːr/
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
youthnounUS /juːθ/
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading (I believe there is an "Old South" in nearly all these first-settled cities and villages of Eastern Massachusetts.) The town wore a half-rustic air of antiquity then, with its old-fashioned people and weather-worn houses; for I was born while my mother-century was still in her youth, just rounding the first quarter of her hundred years.
