used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
in addition
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
amidstprepositionUS /əˈmɪdst/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading His face was thin and somewhat haggard, his long, slender hand rather that of an artist than a bush rancher, and his threadbare attire was curiously neat.
attirenounUS /əˈtaɪər/
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
From this reading His face was thin and somewhat haggard, his long, slender hand rather that of an artist than a bush rancher, and his threadbare attire was curiously neat.
completely unclothed
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
next to; at the side of
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
bushnounUS /bʊʃ/
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading His face was thin and somewhat haggard, his long, slender hand rather that of an artist than a bush rancher, and his threadbare attire was curiously neat.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
chillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/
not characterized by emotion
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
comfortlessadjective
without comfort
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
curiouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading His face was thin and somewhat haggard, his long, slender hand rather that of an artist than a bush rancher, and his threadbare attire was curiously neat.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
exceptionaladjectiveUS /ɪkˈsepʃənəl/
far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His face was thin and somewhat haggard, his long, slender hand rather that of an artist than a bush rancher, and his threadbare attire was curiously neat.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
furnishverbUS /ˈfɜːrnɪʃ/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
grey-hairedadjective
showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
haggardadjectiveUS /ˈhæɡərd/
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading His face was thin and somewhat haggard, his long, slender hand rather that of an artist than a bush rancher, and his threadbare attire was curiously neat.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading His face was thin and somewhat haggard, his long, slender hand rather that of an artist than a bush rancher, and his threadbare attire was curiously neat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His face was thin and somewhat haggard, his long, slender hand rather that of an artist than a bush rancher, and his threadbare attire was curiously neat.
homesteadnounUS /ˈhoʊmsted/
the home and adjacent grounds occupied by a family
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
improveverbUS /ˌɪmˈpruːv/
to make better
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
jacketnounUS /ˈdʒækət/
a short coat
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
living-roomnoun
a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
log-walled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
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 His face was thin and somewhat haggard, his long, slender hand rather that of an artist than a bush rancher, and his threadbare attire was curiously neat.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading His face was thin and somewhat haggard, his long, slender hand rather that of an artist than a bush rancher, and his threadbare attire was curiously neat.
necessitiesnounUS /nəˈsesɪtiz/
plural of “necessity” — the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
pinesnounUS /paɪnz/
plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
possessornounUS /pəˈzesər/
a person who owns something
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
ranchernounUS /ˈræntʃər/
a person who owns or operates a ranch
From this reading His face was thin and somewhat haggard, his long, slender hand rather that of an artist than a bush rancher, and his threadbare attire was curiously neat.
on the contrary
From this reading His face was thin and somewhat haggard, his long, slender hand rather that of an artist than a bush rancher, and his threadbare attire was curiously neat.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His face was thin and somewhat haggard, his long, slender hand rather that of an artist than a bush rancher, and his threadbare attire was curiously neat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading His face was thin and somewhat haggard, his long, slender hand rather that of an artist than a bush rancher, and his threadbare attire was curiously neat.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
threadbareadjectiveUS /ˈθredber/
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
From this reading His face was thin and somewhat haggard, his long, slender hand rather that of an artist than a bush rancher, and his threadbare attire was curiously neat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
Townshead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was chilly and damp in the log-walled living-room of the Townshead homestead, which stood far up in a lonely valley amidst the scattered pines.
belonging to which person
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The room was also bare and somewhat comfortless, for the land was too poor to furnish its possessor with more than necessities, and Townshead not the man to improve it much.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading He wore among other somewhat unusual things an old red velvet jacket, and there was a little cup of black coffee and a single cigar of exceptional quality on the table beside him.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading He lay in an old leather chair beside the stove, a slender, grey-haired man with the worn look of one whose burden had been too heavy for him.
