used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
acresnounUS /ˈeɪkərz/
extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
areanounUS /ˈeriə/
a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
aspensnounUS /ˈæspənz/
plural of “aspen” — any of several trees of the genus Populus having leaves on flattened stalks so that they flutter in the lightest wind
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
beginsnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnz/
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
bladenounUS /bleɪd/
especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
brushwoodnoun
the wood from bushes or small branches
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
chinquapinnoun
shrubby tree closely related to the Allegheny chinkapin but with larger leaves; southern midwestern United States
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
copsenoun
a dense growth of bushes
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
cultivationnounUS /ˌkʌltɪˈveɪʃən/
socialization through training and education to develop one's mind or manners
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
remove the dust from
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
every person
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
ten 10s
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
and nothing more
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
month'snounUS /mʌnθs/
possessive form of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
old-field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
and nothing more
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
plantedadjectiveUS /ˈplæntɪd/
(used especially of ideas or principles) deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
railsnounUS /reɪlz/
a bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
sassafrasnounUS /ˈsæsəfræs/
yellowwood tree with brittle wood and aromatic leaves and bark; source of sassafras oil; widely distributed in eastern North America
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
scholarsnounUS /ˈskɑːlərz/
plural of “scholar” — a learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
an educational institution
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
school-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
scrub-oaks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
the rays of the sun
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
tough-lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
trampledverbUS /ˈtræmpəld/
past form of “trample” — tread or stomp heavily or roughly
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
vacationnounUS /veɪˈkeɪʃən/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading Many generations of scholars had trampled this area into dust that had not put forth a blade of grass in the month's vacation just ended.
vegetationnounUS /ˌvedʒəˈteɪʃən/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading But for two tough-lived aspens planted close to the steps of the small building there was not a sign of vegetation nearer to it than the belt of brushwood.
VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/
a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Everybody spoke of it as an "old-field school"; but the only field in sight was one hundred acres in extent and always under cultivation.
wheatnounUS /wiːt/
annual or biennial grass having erect flower spikes and light brown grains
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On the early October morning with which my story begins it was tender green with fall wheat growing fast under the warm Virginia sunshine.
worm-fence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A "worm-fence" of rails separated it from the copse of sassafras and chinquapin bushes and scrub-oaks, beyond which was the clearing lying about the school-house door.
