Chapter XXV · Chapter 25

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

From this reading A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

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

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading There were but three negroes on the place, one man and two women--the others had answered a call at midnight and had gone away.

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

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading There were but three negroes on the place, one man and two women--the others had answered a call at midnight and had gone away.

plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

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

From this reading A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

plural of “bluff” — a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

plural of “bottom” — the lower side of anything

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There were but three negroes on the place, one man and two women--the others had answered a call at midnight and had gone away.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading There were but three negroes on the place, one man and two women--the others had answered a call at midnight and had gone away.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans

From this reading A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading The Major and his wife were ready to receive this overflow of company.

an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

wood of any of various cypress trees especially of the genus Cupressus

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

the first light of day

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

half asleep

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

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

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

kill as a means of socially sanctioned punishment

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

start firing a weapon

From this reading A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

brought together in one place

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

destroyed or killed

From this reading There were but three negroes on the place, one man and two women--the others had answered a call at midnight and had gone away.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading There were but three negroes on the place, one man and two women--the others had answered a call at midnight and had gone away.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

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

From this reading The Major and his wife were ready to receive this overflow of company.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

and nothing more

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid

From this reading A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

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 A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading The Major and his wife were ready to receive this overflow of company.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading There were but three negroes on the place, one man and two women--the others had answered a call at midnight and had gone away.

the force of workers available

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading There were but three negroes on the place, one man and two women--the others had answered a call at midnight and had gone away.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today

From this reading There were but three negroes on the place, one man and two women--the others had answered a call at midnight and had gone away.

easily agitated

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

not any; not one

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There were but three negroes on the place, one man and two women--the others had answered a call at midnight and had gone away.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

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

From this reading There were but three negroes on the place, one man and two women--the others had answered a call at midnight and had gone away.

a large flow

From this reading The Major and his wife were ready to receive this overflow of company.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading There were but three negroes on the place, one man and two women--the others had answered a call at midnight and had gone away.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading The Major and his wife were ready to receive this overflow of company.

get something; come into possession of

From this reading The Major and his wife were ready to receive this overflow of company.

not used up

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

past form of “splice” — join the ends of

From this reading A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

not in physical motion

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

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

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The Major and his wife were ready to receive this overflow of company.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading There were but three negroes on the place, one man and two women--the others had answered a call at midnight and had gone away.

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

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

the sound of heavy treading or stomping

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

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

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading There were but three negroes on the place, one man and two women--the others had answered a call at midnight and had gone away.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

badly timed

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

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

From this reading A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.

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

From this reading The Major and his wife were ready to receive this overflow of company.

during the time that

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The Major and his wife were ready to receive this overflow of company.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Early at morning, just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore, and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night, there came the trampling of horses, the low tones of men, the sharp, nervous voices of women, and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading But the remaining ones were faithful; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task.