used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At a wood-yard, about dark, a lot of negroes, little and big, came on board to sell brooms.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading At a wood-yard, about dark, a lot of negroes, little and big, came on board to sell brooms.
adriftadjectiveUS /əˈdrɪft/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading In due time we reached St. Louis and boarded another steamer for New Orleans.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At a wood-yard, about dark, a lot of negroes, little and big, came on board to sell brooms.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At a wood-yard, about dark, a lot of negroes, little and big, came on board to sell brooms.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading At a wood-yard, about dark, a lot of negroes, little and big, came on board to sell brooms.
boardedverbUS /ˈbɔːrdəd/
past form of “board” — get on board of (trains, buses, ships, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
boat'snounUS /boʊts/
possessive form of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The boat's clerk seemed to know negro character pretty well, so he got out his violin and played for them.
broomsnounUS /bruːmz/
plural of “broom” — a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle
From this reading At a wood-yard, about dark, a lot of negroes, little and big, came on board to sell brooms.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading At a wood-yard, about dark, a lot of negroes, little and big, came on board to sell brooms.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading The boat's clerk seemed to know negro character pretty well, so he got out his violin and played for them.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading The boat's clerk seemed to know negro character pretty well, so he got out his violin and played for them.
coloredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərd/
having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading At a wood-yard, about dark, a lot of negroes, little and big, came on board to sell brooms.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading In due time we reached St. Louis and boarded another steamer for New Orleans.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
gentrynounUS /ˈdʒentri/
the most powerful members of a society
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The boat's clerk seemed to know negro character pretty well, so he got out his violin and played for them.
hailverbUS /heɪl/
praise vociferously
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The boat's clerk seemed to know negro character pretty well, so he got out his violin and played for them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In due time we reached St. Louis and boarded another steamer for New Orleans.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The boat's clerk seemed to know negro character pretty well, so he got out his violin and played for them.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading At a wood-yard, about dark, a lot of negroes, little and big, came on board to sell brooms.
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading In due time we reached St. Louis and boarded another steamer for New Orleans.
McCloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
MississippinounUS /ˌmɪsɪˈsɪpi/
a major North American river and the chief river of the United States; rises in northern Minnesota and flows southward into the Gulf of Mexico
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
negronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading The boat's clerk seemed to know negro character pretty well, so he got out his violin and played for them.
negroesnounUS /ˈniːɡroʊz/
plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading At a wood-yard, about dark, a lot of negroes, little and big, came on board to sell brooms.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading In due time we reached St. Louis and boarded another steamer for New Orleans.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At a wood-yard, about dark, a lot of negroes, little and big, came on board to sell brooms.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At a wood-yard, about dark, a lot of negroes, little and big, came on board to sell brooms.
OrleansnounUS /ˈɔːrliənz/
a city on the Loire river in north central France; site of the siege of Orleans by the English (1428-1429)
From this reading In due time we reached St. Louis and boarded another steamer for New Orleans.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The boat's clerk seemed to know negro character pretty well, so he got out his violin and played for them.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading The boat's clerk seemed to know negro character pretty well, so he got out his violin and played for them.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading The boat's clerk seemed to know negro character pretty well, so he got out his violin and played for them.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The boat's clerk seemed to know negro character pretty well, so he got out his violin and played for them.
exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent
From this reading At a wood-yard, about dark, a lot of negroes, little and big, came on board to sell brooms.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
skiffnounUS /skɪf/
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The boat's clerk seemed to know negro character pretty well, so he got out his violin and played for them.
in the near future
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In due time we reached St. Louis and boarded another steamer for New Orleans.
steamboatnounUS /ˈstiːmboʊt/
a boat propelled by a steam engine
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading In due time we reached St. Louis and boarded another steamer for New Orleans.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
suitedadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtɪd/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The boat's clerk seemed to know negro character pretty well, so he got out his violin and played for them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
up to a particular time
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In due time we reached St. Louis and boarded another steamer for New Orleans.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At a wood-yard, about dark, a lot of negroes, little and big, came on board to sell brooms.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
tunenounUS /tuːn/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
violinnounUS /vaɪəˈlɪn/
bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
From this reading The boat's clerk seemed to know negro character pretty well, so he got out his violin and played for them.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The boat's clerk seemed to know negro character pretty well, so he got out his violin and played for them.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
WisconsinnounUS /wɪˈskɑːnsən/
a tributary of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin
From this reading McCloud and I now took his skiff, and for two days floated down the Wisconsin River till we reached the Mississippi, boarded the first steamboat we could hail, and let our own little craft adrift.
wood-yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a wood-yard, about dark, a lot of negroes, little and big, came on board to sell brooms.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading For a while the young colored gentry listened in silence, but pretty soon he struck a tune that suited them, and they began to dance in their own wild style.
