Chapter VI

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

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

later than; following

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

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

From this reading "I reckon," said Caleb, who had inspected the freezer on its arrival, and had been wildly curious as to its product, "I reckon it's ice-cream."

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading "Dog my cats if I know!" was the reply, as the man took another mouthful.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading "I reckon," said Caleb, who had inspected the freezer on its arrival, and had been wildly curious as to its product, "I reckon it's ice-cream."

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

From this reading "Dog my cats if I know!" was the reply, as the man took another mouthful.

any of various edible seeds of plants of the family Leguminosae used for food

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

a United States youth subculture of the 1950s; rejected possessions or regular work or traditional dress; for communal living and psychedelic drugs and anarchism; favored modern forms of jazz (e.g., bebop)

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

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

From this reading "I reckon," said Caleb, who had inspected the freezer on its arrival, and had been wildly curious as to its product, "I reckon it's ice-cream."

plural of “cat” — feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading "Dog my cats if I know!" was the reply, as the man took another mouthful.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading "I reckon," said Caleb, who had inspected the freezer on its arrival, and had been wildly curious as to its product, "I reckon it's ice-cream."

sweetened mixture of milk and eggs baked or boiled or frozen

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

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

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading "Dog my cats if I know!" was the reply, as the man took another mouthful.

in an ecstatic manner

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

electric refrigerator (trade name Deepfreeze) in which food is frozen and stored for long periods of time

From this reading "I reckon," said Caleb, who had inspected the freezer on its arrival, and had been wildly curious as to its product, "I reckon it's ice-cream."

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

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

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

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

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

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

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

shout out

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Dog my cats if I know!" was the reply, as the man took another mouthful.

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

From this reading "I reckon," said Caleb, who had inspected the freezer on its arrival, and had been wildly curious as to its product, "I reckon it's ice-cream."

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Dog my cats if I know!" was the reply, as the man took another mouthful.

past form of “inspect” — look over carefully

From this reading "I reckon," said Caleb, who had inspected the freezer on its arrival, and had been wildly curious as to its product, "I reckon it's ice-cream."

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

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

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

From this reading "I reckon," said Caleb, who had inspected the freezer on its arrival, and had been wildly curious as to its product, "I reckon it's ice-cream."

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading "I reckon," said Caleb, who had inspected the freezer on its arrival, and had been wildly curious as to its product, "I reckon it's ice-cream."

and nothing more

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "Dog my cats if I know!" was the reply, as the man took another mouthful.

an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

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

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

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

From this reading "Dog my cats if I know!" was the reply, as the man took another mouthful.

plural of “mi” — destruction of heart tissue resulting from obstruction of the blood supply to the heart muscle

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

the quantity that can be held in the mouth

From this reading "Dog my cats if I know!" was the reply, as the man took another mouthful.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Dog my cats if I know!" was the reply, as the man took another mouthful.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

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

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "I reckon," said Caleb, who had inspected the freezer on its arrival, and had been wildly curious as to its product, "I reckon it's ice-cream."

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

commodities offered for sale

From this reading "I reckon," said Caleb, who had inspected the freezer on its arrival, and had been wildly curious as to its product, "I reckon it's ice-cream."

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

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

someone who asks a question

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading "I reckon," said Caleb, who had inspected the freezer on its arrival, and had been wildly curious as to its product, "I reckon it's ice-cream."

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading "Dog my cats if I know!" was the reply, as the man took another mouthful.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

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

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

plural of “taste” — the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

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

From this reading "Dog my cats if I know!" was the reply, as the man took another mouthful.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

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

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading "Dog my cats if I know!" was the reply, as the man took another mouthful.

any of numerous climbing plants of the genus Vanilla having fleshy leaves and clusters of large waxy highly fragrant white or green or topaz flowers

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

a serviceman who has seen considerable active service

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

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

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading "It tastes somethin' like puddin'--an' custard--an' cake--an' like the smell of ol' Mis' Madden's vanilla bean,--an'--" but just then the questioner was given an opportunity to taste for himself, after which he said:-- "It beats the smell o' my darter's hair-ile--beats it all holler."

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

which person or people

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.

to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree

From this reading "I reckon," said Caleb, who had inspected the freezer on its arrival, and had been wildly curious as to its product, "I reckon it's ice-cream."

but in spite of that

From this reading "What is it?" whispered a veteran who had not yet been served to one who was ecstatically licking his spoon.