used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOPE AND SUSPENSE.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
a youthful male person
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
Catalpanoun
tree of the genus Catalpa with large leaves and white flowers followed by long slender pods
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
coonskinnoun
a raccoon cap with the tail hanging down the back
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
dry-goods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
Elderkin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
GalenanounUS /ɡəˈliːnə/
soft blue-grey mineral; lead sulfide; a major source of lead
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
destroyed or killed
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
be suspended or hanging
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "No sir-ee," replied the old man, "I have staid at home to keep the town in order.
heatsnounUS /hiːts/
plural of “heat” — a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading "No sir-ee," replied the old man, "I have staid at home to keep the town in order.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading HOPE AND SUSPENSE.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
JasonnounUS /ˈdʒeɪsən/
(Greek mythology) the husband of Medea and leader of the Argonauts who sailed in quest of the Golden Fleece
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
jocularly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "No sir-ee," replied the old man, "I have staid at home to keep the town in order.
held up in the air
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "No sir-ee," replied the old man, "I have staid at home to keep the town in order.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
not any; not one
From this reading "No sir-ee," replied the old man, "I have staid at home to keep the town in order.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "No sir-ee," replied the old man, "I have staid at home to keep the town in order.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading "No sir-ee," replied the old man, "I have staid at home to keep the town in order.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "No sir-ee," replied the old man, "I have staid at home to keep the town in order.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
shambled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
sir-ee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No sir-ee," replied the old man, "I have staid at home to keep the town in order.
spectaclesnounUS /ˈspektəkəlz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
staidadjectiveUS /steɪd/
characterized by dignity and propriety
From this reading "No sir-ee," replied the old man, "I have staid at home to keep the town in order.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
storekeepersnounUS /ˈstɔːrkiːpərz/
plural of “storekeeper” — a merchant who owns or manages a shop
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
SUSPENSEnounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading HOPE AND SUSPENSE.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading "No sir-ee," replied the old man, "I have staid at home to keep the town in order.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
at the time that
From this reading It was the custom in Catalpa for the storekeepers to hang out at their doors a little blue flag when they wanted the services of an errand boy.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Seeing this signal at the door of Jason Elderkin's dry-goods store, Rough and Ready, wearing in the heats of summer as in winter his 'coonskin cap, shambled in and asked what was wanted.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Jason lifted his spectacles from his nose and said, jocularly: "Why, Rough and Ready, I thought you had gone up to Galena to see the match between the boys and the Galena Club."
