used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The request came as a sort of surprise to the negro.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
apple-grower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The request came as a sort of surprise to the negro.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
bagsnounUS /bæɡz/
plural of “bag” — a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading With a certain sense of strangeness, Siner picked up his bags, and saw his own form, in the car mirrors, walking down the length of the sleeper.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
blurredadjectiveUS /blɜːrd/
indistinct or hazy in outline
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
CaironounUS /ˈkaɪroʊ/
a town at the southern tip of Illinois at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The request came as a sort of surprise to the negro.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading With a certain sense of strangeness, Siner picked up his bags, and saw his own form, in the car mirrors, walking down the length of the sleeper.
conductornounUS /kənˈdʌktər/
the person who leads a musical group
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
CrowverbUS /kroʊ/
dwell on with satisfaction
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
dining-car
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
distinctionnounUS /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/
a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading With a certain sense of strangeness, Siner picked up his bags, and saw his own form, in the car mirrors, walking down the length of the sleeper.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
fetchedverbUS /fetʃt/
past form of “fetch” — go or come after and bring or take back
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
people in general (often used in the plural)
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading With a certain sense of strangeness, Siner picked up his bags, and saw his own form, in the car mirrors, walking down the length of the sleeper.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
HarvardnounUS /ˈhɑːrvərd/
a university in Massachusetts
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
IllinoisnounUS /ˌɪləˈnɔɪ/
a midwestern state in north-central United States
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading With a certain sense of strangeness, Siner picked up his bags, and saw his own form, in the car mirrors, walking down the length of the sleeper.
the force of workers available
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
mirrorsnounUS /ˈmɪrərz/
plural of “mirror” — polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading With a certain sense of strangeness, Siner picked up his bags, and saw his own form, in the car mirrors, walking down the length of the sleeper.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
negronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading The request came as a sort of surprise to the negro.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The request came as a sort of surprise to the negro.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
OregonnounUS /ˈɔːrəɡən/
a state in northwestern United States on the Pacific
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading With a certain sense of strangeness, Siner picked up his bags, and saw his own form, in the car mirrors, walking down the length of the sleeper.
paper-manufacturer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
go across or through
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading With a certain sense of strangeness, Siner picked up his bags, and saw his own form, in the car mirrors, walking down the length of the sleeper.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
Pullman-car
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
railroadsnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊdz/
plural of “railroad” — line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
reminiscentadjectiveUS /ˌreməˈnɪsənt/
serving to bring to mind
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
express the need or desire for
From this reading The request came as a sort of surprise to the negro.
cut with a saw
From this reading With a certain sense of strangeness, Siner picked up his bags, and saw his own form, in the car mirrors, walking down the length of the sleeper.
segregationnounUS /ˌseɡrəˈɡeɪʃən/
(genetics) the separation of paired alleles during meiosis so that members of each pair of alleles appear in different gametes
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading With a certain sense of strangeness, Siner picked up his bags, and saw his own form, in the car mirrors, walking down the length of the sleeper.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
Siner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
Siner's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
sleepernounUS /ˈsliːpər/
a rester who is sleeping
From this reading With a certain sense of strangeness, Siner picked up his bags, and saw his own form, in the car mirrors, walking down the length of the sleeper.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading The request came as a sort of surprise to the negro.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
strangenessnounUS /ˈstreɪndʒnəs/
unusualness as a consequence of not being well known
From this reading With a certain sense of strangeness, Siner picked up his bags, and saw his own form, in the car mirrors, walking down the length of the sleeper.
suitcasenounUS /ˈsuːtkeɪs/
a portable rectangular container for carrying clothes
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading The request came as a sort of surprise to the negro.
carry out
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
traveling-bag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At Cairo, Illinois, the Pullman-car conductor asked Peter Siner to take his suitcase and traveling-bag and pass forward into the Jim Crow car.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading With a certain sense of strangeness, Siner picked up his bags, and saw his own form, in the car mirrors, walking down the length of the sleeper.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading With a certain sense of strangeness, Siner picked up his bags, and saw his own form, in the car mirrors, walking down the length of the sleeper.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
in or at the place that
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
a Caucasian
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
WisconsinnounUS /wɪˈskɑːnsən/
a tributary of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin
From this reading He moved on through the dining-car, where a few hours before he had had dinner and talked with two white men, one an Oregon apple-grower, the other a Wisconsin paper-manufacturer.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With a certain sense of strangeness, Siner picked up his bags, and saw his own form, in the car mirrors, walking down the length of the sleeper.
a late time of life
From this reading During Peter Siner's four years in Harvard the segregation of black folk on Southern railroads had become blurred and reminiscent in his mind; now it was fetched back into the sharp distinction of the present instant.
