abidingadjectiveUS /əˈbaɪdɪŋ/
lasting a long time
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
abundantadjectiveUS /əˈbʌndənt/
present in great quantity
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
accurateadjectiveUS /ˈækjərət/
conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
achieveverbUS /əˈtʃiːv/
to gain with effort
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
adequateadjectiveUS /ˈædəkwət/
having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
ain't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I ain’t free, Lawd, I ain’t free,” sings the prisoner who bemoans the bad luck in which he had “nobody to pay my fine.”
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
any thing at all
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Not all Negroes in jail or chain gang are “bad men”--not by long odds.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
bemoansverbUS /bɪˈmoʊnz/
third-person singular of “bemoan” — regret strongly
From this reading “I ain’t free, Lawd, I ain’t free,” sings the prisoner who bemoans the bad luck in which he had “nobody to pay my fine.”
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
the two together, not just one
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Not all Negroes in jail or chain gang are “bad men”--not by long odds.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
chain-gang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
containsverbUS /kənˈteɪnz/
third-person singular of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
decreasingadjectiveUS /dɪˈkriːsɪŋ/
becoming less or smaller
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
ever-fleeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading “I ain’t free, Lawd, I ain’t free,” sings the prisoner who bemoans the bad luck in which he had “nobody to pay my fine.”
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading “I ain’t free, Lawd, I ain’t free,” sings the prisoner who bemoans the bad luck in which he had “nobody to pay my fine.”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
fugitivenounUS /ˈfjuːdʒətɪv/
someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
GANGnounUS /ɡæŋ/
an association of criminals
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “I ain’t free, Lawd, I ain’t free,” sings the prisoner who bemoans the bad luck in which he had “nobody to pay my fine.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
houn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I ain’t free, Lawd, I ain’t free,” sings the prisoner who bemoans the bad luck in which he had “nobody to pay my fine.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
indicationsnounUS /ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “indication” — something that serves to indicate or suggest
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
JAILnounUS /dʒeɪl/
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
Lawd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I ain’t free, Lawd, I ain’t free,” sings the prisoner who bemoans the bad luck in which he had “nobody to pay my fine.”
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
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 Not all Negroes in jail or chain gang are “bad men”--not by long odds.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading “I ain’t free, Lawd, I ain’t free,” sings the prisoner who bemoans the bad luck in which he had “nobody to pay my fine.”
majoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
the force of workers available
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
minoradjectiveUS /ˈmaɪnər/
of lesser importance or stature or rank
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “I ain’t free, Lawd, I ain’t free,” sings the prisoner who bemoans the bad luck in which he had “nobody to pay my fine.”
NegronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
NegroesnounUS /ˈniːɡroʊz/
plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading Not all Negroes in jail or chain gang are “bad men”--not by long odds.
no person; not anyone
From this reading “I ain’t free, Lawd, I ain’t free,” sings the prisoner who bemoans the bad luck in which he had “nobody to pay my fine.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
come into possession of
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
oddsnounUS /ɑːdz/
the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
From this reading Not all Negroes in jail or chain gang are “bad men”--not by long odds.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
offendersnounUS /əˈfendərz/
plural of “offender” — a person who transgresses moral or civil law
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading “I ain’t free, Lawd, I ain’t free,” sings the prisoner who bemoans the bad luck in which he had “nobody to pay my fine.”
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
policemannounUS /pəˈliːsmən/
a member of a police force
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
POLICEMENnounUS /pəˈliːsmɪn/
plural of “policeman” — a member of a police force
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
populationnounUS /ˌpɑːpjəˈleɪʃən/
the people who inhabit a territory or state
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading “I ain’t free, Lawd, I ain’t free,” sings the prisoner who bemoans the bad luck in which he had “nobody to pay my fine.”
with speed
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
rationounUS /ˈreɪʃioʊ/
the relative magnitudes of two quantities (usually expressed as a quotient)
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
representationsnounUS /ˌreprəzənˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “representation” — a presentation to the mind in the form of an idea or image
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
sheriffnounUS /ˈʃerəf/
the principal law-enforcement officer in a county
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
singsverbUS /sɪŋz/
third-person singular of “sing” — deliver by singing
From this reading “I ain’t free, Lawd, I ain’t free,” sings the prisoner who bemoans the bad luck in which he had “nobody to pay my fine.”
situationsnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “situation” — the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words
From this reading SONGS OF JAIL, CHAIN GANG, AND POLICEMEN Not all Negro “bad men” achieve an abiding place in jail or chain gang.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “I ain’t free, Lawd, I ain’t free,” sings the prisoner who bemoans the bad luck in which he had “nobody to pay my fine.”
whitesnounUS /waɪts/
plural of “white” — a Caucasian
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
which person or people
From this reading “I ain’t free, Lawd, I ain’t free,” sings the prisoner who bemoans the bad luck in which he had “nobody to pay my fine.”
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
workadayadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrkədeɪ/
found in the ordinary course of events
From this reading And if one wishes to obtain anything like an adequate or accurate picture of the workaday Negro he will surely find much of his best setting in the chain gang, prison, or in the situations of the ever-fleeing fugitive from “chain-gang houn’,” high sheriff or policeman.
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet the prison population of the South contains abundant representations of both major and minor Negro offenders, although the indications are that the ratio of Negroes to whites is decreasing rapidly.
