used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
achieveverbUS /əˈtʃiːv/
to gain with effort
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Hounds on my track Chicken on my back.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading A song, called out quickly, Nigga, nigga, what can you do?
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading A song, called out quickly, Nigga, nigga, what can you do?
ChickennounUS /ˈtʃɪkən/
the flesh of a chicken used for food
From this reading Hounds on my track Chicken on my back.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
creamnounUS /kriːm/
the best people or things in a group
From this reading Each negro used but the cream of his vitality on the labor, working relaxed, saving himself for life and her uses.
deigningverbUS /ˈdeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “deign” — do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading A song, called out quickly, Nigga, nigga, what can you do?
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Each negro used but the cream of his vitality on the labor, working relaxed, saving himself for life and her uses.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Each negro used but the cream of his vitality on the labor, working relaxed, saving himself for life and her uses.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
HoundsnounUS /haʊndz/
plural of “hound” — any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears
From this reading Hounds on my track Chicken on my back.
ten 10s
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading Each negro used but the cream of his vitality on the labor, working relaxed, saving himself for life and her uses.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Each negro used but the cream of his vitality on the labor, working relaxed, saving himself for life and her uses.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/
kept in good condition
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Hounds on my track Chicken on my back.
negronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
Nigga
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A song, called out quickly, Nigga, nigga, what can you do?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Hounds on my track Chicken on my back.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A song, called out quickly, Nigga, nigga, what can you do?
outdoverbUS /ˌaʊtˈduː/
be or do something to a greater degree
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
over-sized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
picksnounUS /pɪks/
plural of “pick” — the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
with speed
From this reading A song, called out quickly, Nigga, nigga, what can you do?
relaxedadjectiveUS /rɪˈlækst/
without strain or anxiety
From this reading Each negro used but the cream of his vitality on the labor, working relaxed, saving himself for life and her uses.
rivalrynounUS /ˈraɪvəlri/
the act of competing as for profit or a prize
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
RossnounUS /rɑːs/
Scottish explorer who led Arctic expeditions that yielded geographic discoveries while searching for the Northwest Passage (1777-1856)
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
savingnounUS /ˈseɪvɪŋ/
an act of economizing; reduction in cost
From this reading Each negro used but the cream of his vitality on the labor, working relaxed, saving himself for life and her uses.
sixtyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪksti/
being ten more than fifty
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading A song, called out quickly, Nigga, nigga, what can you do?
Spalding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading Hounds on my track Chicken on my back.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Each negro used but the cream of his vitality on the labor, working relaxed, saving himself for life and her uses.
usesnounUS /ˈjuːsəz/
plural of “use” — the act of using
From this reading Each negro used but the cream of his vitality on the labor, working relaxed, saving himself for life and her uses.
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
vitalitynounUS /vaɪˈtæləti/
an energetic style
From this reading Each negro used but the cream of his vitality on the labor, working relaxed, saving himself for life and her uses.
WadeverbUS /weɪd/
walk (through relatively shallow water)
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
well-knitadjective
strongly and firmly constructed
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He maintained a rivalry with Wade Spalding at the business of the picks, neither of them deigning to outdo himself but each taking pride in what he could achieve, foot by foot, by using as little of his strength as he might.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Each negro used but the cream of his vitality on the labor, working relaxed, saving himself for life and her uses.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading A song, called out quickly, Nigga, nigga, what can you do?
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Ross was a tall broad young negro, not over-sized, but well-knit and strong, his weight about one hundred and sixty pounds.
