used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading And he started for the gate almost on the run.
Alzina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And he started for the gate almost on the run.
Ann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
have
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
canarynounUS /kəˈneri/
someone acting as an informer or decoy for the police
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
corsetnounUS /ˈkɔːrsət/
a woman's close-fitting foundation garment
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
dretfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
at any time
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading “Oh, no,” says he, “she means every word she says.
opinion or judgment
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And he started for the gate almost on the run.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading And he started for the gate almost on the run.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
goin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
handsomer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
happenin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And he started for the gate almost on the run.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
Josiah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
kep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And so she kep’ on in jest that way.
set down according to a plan
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading “Oh, no,” says he, “she means every word she says.
mockin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
mornin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
not any; not one
From this reading “Oh, no,” says he, “she means every word she says.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading “Oh, no,” says he, “she means every word she says.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And he started for the gate almost on the run.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
parrotnounUS /ˈperət/
usually brightly colored zygodactyl tropical birds with short hooked beaks and the ability to mimic sounds
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
petnounUS /pet/
a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
on the contrary
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading And he started for the gate almost on the run.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading “Oh, no,” says he, “she means every word she says.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And so she kep’ on in jest that way.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading And he started for the gate almost on the run.
sunthin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And so she kep’ on in jest that way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And he started for the gate almost on the run.
in or at that place or location
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading And so she kep’ on in jest that way.
at the time that
From this reading And I was jest a goin’ in when Alzina Ann come out to the back door herself, and happenin’ to see the corset, she said “she should rather have it for a pet, and it was far handsomer and more valuable than any mockin’-bird, or canary, or parrot she ever laid eyes on.”
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading “Oh, no,” says he, “she means every word she says.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading And one mornin’ when she had been goin’ on dretfully that way, I took Josiah out one side and told him “I couldn’t bear to hear her go on so, and I believed there was sunthin’ wrong about it.”
