Chapter XV

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Still he is none the less real as a vivid picture and example of the good man hero of the race.

a narrative song with a recurrent refrain

From this reading Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

English preacher and author of an allegorical novel, Pilgrim's Progress (1628-1688)

From this reading Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

the area of the states of North Carolina and South Carolina

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

plural of “carry” — the act of carrying something

From this reading Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Not so John Henry, who was most probably a mythical character.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

at any time

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading Still he is none the less real as a vivid picture and example of the good man hero of the race.

the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

a state in southeastern United States; one of the Confederate states during the American Civil War

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Still he is none the less real as a vivid picture and example of the good man hero of the race.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading Still he is none the less real as a vivid picture and example of the good man hero of the race.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

belonging to a thing by its very nature

From this reading Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Still he is none the less real as a vivid picture and example of the good man hero of the race.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

elegant and sumptuous

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

any admirable quality or attribute

From this reading Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

plural of “mo” — an indefinitely short time

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

used to form the superlative

From this reading Not so John Henry, who was most probably a mythical character.

based on or told of in traditional stories; lacking factual basis or historical validity

From this reading Not so John Henry, who was most probably a mythical character.

a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

not any; not one

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

not one, and not any

From this reading Still he is none the less real as a vivid picture and example of the good man hero of the race.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not so John Henry, who was most probably a mythical character.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

United States feminist (1885-1977)

From this reading Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

a human being

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

as yourself

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading Still he is none the less real as a vivid picture and example of the good man hero of the race.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading Not so John Henry, who was most probably a mythical character.

past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

any competition

From this reading Still he is none the less real as a vivid picture and example of the good man hero of the race.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

to give an account or representation of in words

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

important in effect or meaning

From this reading Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Not so John Henry, who was most probably a mythical character.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

not in physical motion

From this reading Still he is none the less real as a vivid picture and example of the good man hero of the race.

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 Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Although, like the story of Left Wing, the _John Henry_ ballad carries its own intrinsic merit, this song of the black Paul Bunyan of the Negro workingman is significant for other reasons.

the act of going from one place to another

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

precisely as stated

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading Still he is none the less real as a vivid picture and example of the good man hero of the race.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

(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 Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

which person or people

From this reading Not so John Henry, who was most probably a mythical character.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”

a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

an employee who performs manual or industrial labor

From this reading JOHN HENRY: EPIC OF THE NEGRO WORKINGMAN Left Wing Gordon was and is a very real person, “traveling man” de luxe in the flesh and blood.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Whatever other studies may report, no Negro whom we have questioned in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia has ever seen or known of John Henry personally or known any one who has, although it is well understood that he was “mos’ fore-handed steel-drivin’ man in the world.”