used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They had lived on a branch--a brook--in the Kentucky hills.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading They had lived on a branch--a brook--in the Kentucky hills.
brooknounUS /brʊk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading They had lived on a branch--a brook--in the Kentucky hills.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But Paw could tell purty tales and Maw could sing song-ballads that would make you weep.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading "Nary one of us could read," Cissy said dreamily, sitting on the packing-box doorstep with elbows on knees and chin on palms.
Cissyadjective
having unsuitable feminine qualities
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
coverletnoun
a decorative bedspread (usually quilted)
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
doorstepnounUS /ˈdɔːrstep/
the sill of a door; a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway and offers support when passing through a doorway
From this reading "Nary one of us could read," Cissy said dreamily, sitting on the packing-box doorstep with elbows on knees and chin on palms.
dreamilyadverb
in a dreamy manner
From this reading "Nary one of us could read," Cissy said dreamily, sitting on the packing-box doorstep with elbows on knees and chin on palms.
elbowsnounUS /ˈelboʊz/
plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading "Nary one of us could read," Cissy said dreamily, sitting on the packing-box doorstep with elbows on knees and chin on palms.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading But they wasn't no good huntin' no more, and the kittles was empty.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading But they wasn't no good huntin' no more, and the kittles was empty.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had lived on a branch--a brook--in the Kentucky hills.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading They had lived on a branch--a brook--in the Kentucky hills.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
huntin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they wasn't no good huntin' no more, and the kittles was empty.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They had lived on a branch--a brook--in the Kentucky hills.
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 had lived on a branch--a brook--in the Kentucky hills.
kettlesnounUS /ˈketəlz/
plural of “kettle” — a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
kittles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they wasn't no good huntin' no more, and the kittles was empty.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading "Nary one of us could read," Cissy said dreamily, sitting on the packing-box doorstep with elbows on knees and chin on palms.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading They had lived on a branch--a brook--in the Kentucky hills.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
engage in
From this reading "But Paw could tell purty tales and Maw could sing song-ballads that would make you weep.
MawnounUS /mɔː/
informal terms for the mouth
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But they wasn't no good huntin' no more, and the kittles was empty.
NaryadjectiveUS /ˈneri/
(used with singular count nouns) colloquial for “not a” or “not one” or “never a”
From this reading "Nary one of us could read," Cissy said dreamily, sitting on the packing-box doorstep with elbows on knees and chin on palms.
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
not any; not one
From this reading But they wasn't no good huntin' no more, and the kittles was empty.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They had lived on a branch--a brook--in the Kentucky hills.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Nary one of us could read," Cissy said dreamily, sitting on the packing-box doorstep with elbows on knees and chin on palms.
packing-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Nary one of us could read," Cissy said dreamily, sitting on the packing-box doorstep with elbows on knees and chin on palms.
palmsnounUS /pɑːmz/
plural of “palm” — the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading "Nary one of us could read," Cissy said dreamily, sitting on the packing-box doorstep with elbows on knees and chin on palms.
PawverbUS /pɔː/
scrape with the paws
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
purty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But Paw could tell purty tales and Maw could sing song-ballads that would make you weep.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading "Nary one of us could read," Cissy said dreamily, sitting on the packing-box doorstep with elbows on knees and chin on palms.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
deliver by singing
From this reading "But Paw could tell purty tales and Maw could sing song-ballads that would make you weep.
be seated
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading "Nary one of us could read," Cissy said dreamily, sitting on the packing-box doorstep with elbows on knees and chin on palms.
song-ballads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But Paw could tell purty tales and Maw could sing song-ballads that would make you weep.
plural of “tale” — 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 "But Paw could tell purty tales and Maw could sing song-ballads that would make you weep.
express in words
From this reading "But Paw could tell purty tales and Maw could sing song-ballads that would make you weep.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "But Paw could tell purty tales and Maw could sing song-ballads that would make you weep.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They had lived on a branch--a brook--in the Kentucky hills.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had lived on a branch--a brook--in the Kentucky hills.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Nary one of us could read," Cissy said dreamily, sitting on the packing-box doorstep with elbows on knees and chin on palms.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they wasn't no good huntin' no more, and the kittles was empty.
weaveverbUS /wiːv/
interlace by or as if by weaving
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
weepverbUS /wiːp/
shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading "But Paw could tell purty tales and Maw could sing song-ballads that would make you weep.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
at the time that
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
in or at the place that
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
whittlenounUS /ˈwɪtəl/
English aeronautical engineer who invented the jet aircraft engine (1907-1996)
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Their house was log, said Cissy, with a fireplace where Maw had her kettles and where the whole lot of them could sit when winter nights were cold, and Paw could whittle and Maw weave a coverlet.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "But Paw could tell purty tales and Maw could sing song-ballads that would make you weep.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "But Paw could tell purty tales and Maw could sing song-ballads that would make you weep.
