used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
anew
From this reading Four pickmen of the road sing, swinging pick up, whirling it now round and round and now down again, movement well punctuated with nasal grunt and swelling song.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Another group unloading coal, another asphalt, another lime, or sand, sing unnumbered songs and improvisations.
any thing at all
From this reading Likewise steel drivers and pick-and-shovel men sing down a road that is anything but “lonesome” now.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Modern scenes, however different, are no less impressive.
asphaltnounUS /ˈæsfɔːlt/
mixed asphalt and crushed gravel or sand; used especially for paving but also for roofing
From this reading Another group unloading coal, another asphalt, another lime, or sand, sing unnumbered songs and improvisations.
barsnounUS /bɑːrz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Likewise steel drivers and pick-and-shovel men sing down a road that is anything but “lonesome” now.
coalnounUS /koʊl/
fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading Another group unloading coal, another asphalt, another lime, or sand, sing unnumbered songs and improvisations.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Modern scenes, however different, are no less impressive.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Likewise steel drivers and pick-and-shovel men sing down a road that is anything but “lonesome” now.
driversnounUS /ˈdraɪvərz/
plural of “driver” — the operator of a motor vehicle
From this reading Likewise steel drivers and pick-and-shovel men sing down a road that is anything but “lonesome” now.
effectivenessnounUS /ɪˈfektɪvnəs/
power to be effective; the quality of being able to bring about an effect
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Four pickmen of the road sing, swinging pick up, whirling it now round and round and now down again, movement well punctuated with nasal grunt and swelling song.
gangnounUS /ɡæŋ/
an association of criminals
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Another group unloading coal, another asphalt, another lime, or sand, sing unnumbered songs and improvisations.
gruntnounUS /ɡrʌnt/
the short low gruff noise of the kind made by hogs
From this reading Four pickmen of the road sing, swinging pick up, whirling it now round and round and now down again, movement well punctuated with nasal grunt and swelling song.
hammernounUS /ˈhæmər/
the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Modern scenes, however different, are no less impressive.
impressiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpresɪv/
making a strong or vivid impression
From this reading Modern scenes, however different, are no less impressive.
improvisationsnounUS /ˌɪmprɑːvɪˈzeɪʃənz/
plural of “improvisation” — a creation spoken or written or composed extemporaneously (without prior preparation)
From this reading Another group unloading coal, another asphalt, another lime, or sand, sing unnumbered songs and improvisations.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Likewise steel drivers and pick-and-shovel men sing down a road that is anything but “lonesome” now.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Four pickmen of the road sing, swinging pick up, whirling it now round and round and now down again, movement well punctuated with nasal grunt and swelling song.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Modern scenes, however different, are no less impressive.
in like or similar manner
From this reading Likewise steel drivers and pick-and-shovel men sing down a road that is anything but “lonesome” now.
limenounUS /laɪm/
a caustic substance produced by heating limestone
From this reading Another group unloading coal, another asphalt, another lime, or sand, sing unnumbered songs and improvisations.
lonesomeadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnsəm/
being the only one; single and isolated from others
From this reading Likewise steel drivers and pick-and-shovel men sing down a road that is anything but “lonesome” now.
the force of workers available
From this reading Likewise steel drivers and pick-and-shovel men sing down a road that is anything but “lonesome” now.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading Modern scenes, however different, are no less impressive.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Four pickmen of the road sing, swinging pick up, whirling it now round and round and now down again, movement well punctuated with nasal grunt and swelling song.
nasaladjectiveUS /ˈneɪzəl/
of or in or relating to the nose
From this reading Four pickmen of the road sing, swinging pick up, whirling it now round and round and now down again, movement well punctuated with nasal grunt and swelling song.
NegroesnounUS /ˈniːɡroʊz/
plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
not any; not one
From this reading Modern scenes, however different, are no less impressive.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Likewise steel drivers and pick-and-shovel men sing down a road that is anything but “lonesome” now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Another group unloading coal, another asphalt, another lime, or sand, sing unnumbered songs and improvisations.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
select carefully from a group
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
pick-and-shovel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Likewise steel drivers and pick-and-shovel men sing down a road that is anything but “lonesome” now.
pickmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Four pickmen of the road sing, swinging pick up, whirling it now round and round and now down again, movement well punctuated with nasal grunt and swelling song.
punctuatedverbUS /ˈpʌŋktʃuːeɪtɪd/
past form of “punctuate” — insert punctuation marks into
From this reading Four pickmen of the road sing, swinging pick up, whirling it now round and round and now down again, movement well punctuated with nasal grunt and swelling song.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Likewise steel drivers and pick-and-shovel men sing down a road that is anything but “lonesome” now.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Four pickmen of the road sing, swinging pick up, whirling it now round and round and now down again, movement well punctuated with nasal grunt and swelling song.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading Another group unloading coal, another asphalt, another lime, or sand, sing unnumbered songs and improvisations.
only a very short time before
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading Modern scenes, however different, are no less impressive.
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
shovelnounUS /ˈʃʌvəl/
a hand tool for lifting loose material; consists of a curved container or scoop and a handle
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
deliver by singing
From this reading Likewise steel drivers and pick-and-shovel men sing down a road that is anything but “lonesome” now.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading Four pickmen of the road sing, swinging pick up, whirling it now round and round and now down again, movement well punctuated with nasal grunt and swelling song.
plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words
From this reading Another group unloading coal, another asphalt, another lime, or sand, sing unnumbered songs and improvisations.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading Likewise steel drivers and pick-and-shovel men sing down a road that is anything but “lonesome” now.
swellingnounUS /ˈswelɪŋ/
an abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement
From this reading Four pickmen of the road sing, swinging pick up, whirling it now round and round and now down again, movement well punctuated with nasal grunt and swelling song.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading Four pickmen of the road sing, swinging pick up, whirling it now round and round and now down again, movement well punctuated with nasal grunt and swelling song.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Likewise steel drivers and pick-and-shovel men sing down a road that is anything but “lonesome” now.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
toolsnounUS /tuːlz/
plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
unloadingnounUS /ənˈloʊdɪŋ/
the labor of taking a load of something off of or out of a vehicle or ship or container etc.
From this reading Another group unloading coal, another asphalt, another lime, or sand, sing unnumbered songs and improvisations.
unnumberedadjective
too numerous to be counted
From this reading Another group unloading coal, another asphalt, another lime, or sand, sing unnumbered songs and improvisations.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Four pickmen of the road sing, swinging pick up, whirling it now round and round and now down again, movement well punctuated with nasal grunt and swelling song.
(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 Four pickmen of the road sing, swinging pick up, whirling it now round and round and now down again, movement well punctuated with nasal grunt and swelling song.
whirlingnounUS /ˈwɜːrlɪŋ/
the act of rotating in a circle or spiral
From this reading Four pickmen of the road sing, swinging pick up, whirling it now round and round and now down again, movement well punctuated with nasal grunt and swelling song.
Whoever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Whoever has seen a railroad section gang of five score Negroes working with pick and shovel and hammer and bars and other tools, and has heard them singing together will scarcely question the effectiveness of the scene.
