used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
at or in the front
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
alongsideadverbUS /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/
side by side
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
a quantity of money
From this reading I reckon we can git any amount of odds so long as we keep the knot bus’ness to ourselves.’
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “‘Hold?’ he ses, surprised like and raisin’ his eyebrows just that way; ‘what’s the matter of ye? hain’t ye slept well?
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I reckon we can git any amount of odds so long as we keep the knot bus’ness to ourselves.’
arter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Ye mout as well try to hold old Nick by the tail as that big, slab-sided critter.’
awhileadverbUS /əˈwaɪl/
for a short time
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Ye mout as well try to hold old Nick by the tail as that big, slab-sided critter.’
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
bus'ness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I reckon we can git any amount of odds so long as we keep the knot bus’ness to ourselves.’
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Ye mout as well try to hold old Nick by the tail as that big, slab-sided critter.’
cal'lated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading I reckon we can git any amount of odds so long as we keep the knot bus’ness to ourselves.’
critternounUS /ˈkrɪtər/
a regional term for “creature” (especially for domestic animals)
From this reading Ye mout as well try to hold old Nick by the tail as that big, slab-sided critter.’
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
eyebrowsnounUS /ˈaɪbraʊz/
plural of “eyebrow” — the arch of hair above each eye
From this reading “‘Hold?’ he ses, surprised like and raisin’ his eyebrows just that way; ‘what’s the matter of ye? hain’t ye slept well?
gins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible
From this reading I reckon we can git any amount of odds so long as we keep the knot bus’ness to ourselves.’
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
hain't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Hold?’ he ses, surprised like and raisin’ his eyebrows just that way; ‘what’s the matter of ye? hain’t ye slept well?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “‘Hold?’ he ses, surprised like and raisin’ his eyebrows just that way; ‘what’s the matter of ye? hain’t ye slept well?
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
Jake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
and nothing more
From this reading “‘Hold?’ he ses, surprised like and raisin’ his eyebrows just that way; ‘what’s the matter of ye? hain’t ye slept well?
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading I reckon we can git any amount of odds so long as we keep the knot bus’ness to ourselves.’
kinnounUS /kɪn/
a person having kinship with another or others
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
knotnounUS /nɑːt/
a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading I reckon we can git any amount of odds so long as we keep the knot bus’ness to ourselves.’
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “‘Hold?’ he ses, surprised like and raisin’ his eyebrows just that way; ‘what’s the matter of ye? hain’t ye slept well?
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading I reckon we can git any amount of odds so long as we keep the knot bus’ness to ourselves.’
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading “‘Hold?’ he ses, surprised like and raisin’ his eyebrows just that way; ‘what’s the matter of ye? hain’t ye slept well?
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
mout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ye mout as well try to hold old Nick by the tail as that big, slab-sided critter.’
NickverbUS /nɪk/
cut slightly, with a razor
From this reading Ye mout as well try to hold old Nick by the tail as that big, slab-sided critter.’
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
oddsnounUS /ɑːdz/
the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
From this reading I reckon we can git any amount of odds so long as we keep the knot bus’ness to ourselves.’
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Ye mout as well try to hold old Nick by the tail as that big, slab-sided critter.’
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading I reckon we can git any amount of odds so long as we keep the knot bus’ness to ourselves.’
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
pignounUS /pɪɡ/
domestic swine
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
raisinnounUS /ˈreɪzɪn/
dried grape
From this reading “‘Hold?’ he ses, surprised like and raisin’ his eyebrows just that way; ‘what’s the matter of ye? hain’t ye slept well?
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading I reckon we can git any amount of odds so long as we keep the knot bus’ness to ourselves.’
ses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
slab-sided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ye mout as well try to hold old Nick by the tail as that big, slab-sided critter.’
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading “‘Hold?’ he ses, surprised like and raisin’ his eyebrows just that way; ‘what’s the matter of ye? hain’t ye slept well?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading “‘Hold?’ he ses, surprised like and raisin’ his eyebrows just that way; ‘what’s the matter of ye? hain’t ye slept well?
Swasey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
From this reading Ye mout as well try to hold old Nick by the tail as that big, slab-sided critter.’
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “‘Hold?’ he ses, surprised like and raisin’ his eyebrows just that way; ‘what’s the matter of ye? hain’t ye slept well?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading Ye mout as well try to hold old Nick by the tail as that big, slab-sided critter.’
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
Wal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “‘Hold?’ he ses, surprised like and raisin’ his eyebrows just that way; ‘what’s the matter of ye? hain’t ye slept well?
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I reckon we can git any amount of odds so long as we keep the knot bus’ness to ourselves.’
(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 “‘Hold?’ he ses, surprised like and raisin’ his eyebrows just that way; ‘what’s the matter of ye? hain’t ye slept well?
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “‘Wal, now, jest wait a bit,’ ses I; so I went on and told him what I cal’lated to do, and arter he looked awhile, he ses, ‘Wal, go ahead, Jim, I’ll back ye.
what's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “‘Hold?’ he ses, surprised like and raisin’ his eyebrows just that way; ‘what’s the matter of ye? hain’t ye slept well?
which person or people
From this reading “So I ses to Jake Swasey, who stood alongside of me, ‘Jake, I believe that I kin hold that pig until he gins out.’
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading “‘Hold?’ he ses, surprised like and raisin’ his eyebrows just that way; ‘what’s the matter of ye? hain’t ye slept well?
