used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The principal man among the Hillers was known as Bill Powell.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading The principal man among the Hillers was known as Bill Powell.
boastverbUS /boʊst/
show off
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
chickensnounUS /ˈtʃɪkənz/
plural of “chicken” — the flesh of a chicken used for food
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
placed crosswise
From this reading With them the villagers rarely, if ever, had intercourse, and respectable persons seldom crossed their thresholds.
degradedadjectiveUS /dɪˈɡreɪdəd/
unrestrained by convention or morality
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
at any time
From this reading With them the villagers rarely, if ever, had intercourse, and respectable persons seldom crossed their thresholds.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
fishingnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading With them the villagers rarely, if ever, had intercourse, and respectable persons seldom crossed their thresholds.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
hen-roost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
Hillers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
hovelsnounUS /ˈhʌvəlz/
plural of “hovel” — small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading With them the villagers rarely, if ever, had intercourse, and respectable persons seldom crossed their thresholds.
uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
intercoursenounUS /ˈɪntərkɔːrs/
communication between individuals
From this reading With them the villagers rarely, if ever, had intercourse, and respectable persons seldom crossed their thresholds.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The principal man among the Hillers was known as Bill Powell.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
nabbedverbUS /næbd/
inflected form of “nab” — tag the base runner to get him out
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
obtainingverbUS /əbˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
held or filled or in use
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading With them the villagers rarely, if ever, had intercourse, and respectable persons seldom crossed their thresholds.
PowellnounUS /ˈpaʊəl/
United States general who was the first African American to serve as chief of staff; later served as Secretary of State under President George W. Bush (born 1937)
From this reading The principal man among the Hillers was known as Bill Powell.
precariousadjectiveUS /priˈkeriəs/
affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading The principal man among the Hillers was known as Bill Powell.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading With them the villagers rarely, if ever, had intercourse, and respectable persons seldom crossed their thresholds.
RegulatorsnounUS /ˈreɡjəleɪtərz/
plural of “regulator” — any of various controls or devices for regulating or controlling fluid flow, pressure, temperature, etc.
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading With them the villagers rarely, if ever, had intercourse, and respectable persons seldom crossed their thresholds.
not often
From this reading With them the villagers rarely, if ever, had intercourse, and respectable persons seldom crossed their thresholds.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
staturenounUS /ˈstætʃər/
high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
stealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
subsistencenounUS /səbˈsɪstəns/
minimal (or marginal) resources for subsisting
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading With them the villagers rarely, if ever, had intercourse, and respectable persons seldom crossed their thresholds.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading With them the villagers rarely, if ever, had intercourse, and respectable persons seldom crossed their thresholds.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
thresholdsnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊldz/
plural of “threshold” — the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading With them the villagers rarely, if ever, had intercourse, and respectable persons seldom crossed their thresholds.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
villagersnounUS /ˈvɪlɪdʒərz/
plural of “villager” — one who has lived in a village most of their life
From this reading With them the villagers rarely, if ever, had intercourse, and respectable persons seldom crossed their thresholds.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, and obtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Regulators One of the range of hills which extended around the western side of the village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers."
in the company of; together with
From this reading With them the villagers rarely, if ever, had intercourse, and respectable persons seldom crossed their thresholds.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He was a giant in strength and stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost in the village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickens each time, without being nabbed."
