used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
accomplishingverbUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “accomplish” — put in effect
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
aeons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Perkins's oldest had that afternoon in school been told to write a composition on September.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
barefootadjectiveUS /ˈberfʊt/
without shoes
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was to be handed in next morning.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Perkins's oldest had that afternoon in school been told to write a composition on September.
confined by bonds
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
a youthful male person
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
casualadjectiveUS /ˈkæʒəwəl/
marked by blithe unconcern
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
compositionnounUS /ˌkɑːmpəˈzɪʃən/
the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole
From this reading Perkins's oldest had that afternoon in school been told to write a composition on September.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
Cross-Roads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
divisible by two
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
opinion or judgment
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Perkins's oldest had that afternoon in school been told to write a composition on September.
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading It was to be handed in next morning.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
hopelessnessnounUS /ˈhoʊpləsnəs/
the despair you feel when you have abandoned hope of comfort or success
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Perkins's oldest had that afternoon in school been told to write a composition on September.
located inward
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was to be handed in next morning.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
limitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/
small in range or scope
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
make reference to
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It was to be handed in next morning.
used to form the superlative
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading It was to be handed in next morning.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
occupantnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənt/
someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Perkins's oldest had that afternoon in school been told to write a composition on September.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
penetrationnounUS /ˌpenəˈtreɪʃən/
an attack that penetrates into enemy territory
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
Perkins's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perkins's oldest had that afternoon in school been told to write a composition on September.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
PrometheusnounUS /prəˈmiːθiːəs/
(Greek mythology) the Titan who stole fire from Olympus and gave it to mankind; Zeus punished him by chaining him to a rock where an eagle gnawed at his liver until Hercules rescued him
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
an educational institution
From this reading Perkins's oldest had that afternoon in school been told to write a composition on September.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading Perkins's oldest had that afternoon in school been told to write a composition on September.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
sightsnounUS /saɪts/
an optical instrument for aiding the eye in aiming, as on a firearm or surveying instrument
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
starch-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
sympatheticadjectiveUS /ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/
of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
tearingnounUS /ˈterɪŋ/
shedding tears
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Perkins's oldest had that afternoon in school been told to write a composition on September.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
in or at that place or location
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Perkins's oldest had that afternoon in school been told to write a composition on September.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
tragicadjectiveUS /ˈtrædʒɪk/
very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction
From this reading To the casual observer one of the most ordinary of sights, but to one possessed of sympathetic powers of penetration into a boy's inner consciousness there was a suggestion of the tragic.
vitalsnoun
a bodily organ that is essential for life
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
vulturenounUS /ˈvʌltʃər/
any of various large diurnal birds of prey having naked heads and weak claws and feeding chiefly on carrion
From this reading It was the hopelessness of accomplishing the fact even in aeons, not to mention the limited time of a dozen short hours, that had bound him, a little Prometheus, to the starch-box, with the vulture of absolute despair tearing at his vitals.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE seat was an empty starch-box on the Cross-Roads porch, its occupant a barefoot boy with a torn straw hat pulled far down over his eyes.
produce a literary work
From this reading Perkins's oldest had that afternoon in school been told to write a composition on September.
