Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading Godfrey listened in great amazement to his son's story, and, to satisfy himself of the truth of it, went up to the barn, with his rifle for company.

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

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The trouble began the very next morning.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

a long seat for more than one person

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

a youthful male person

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

placed in a grave

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Godfrey listened in great amazement to his son's story, and, to satisfy himself of the truth of it, went up to the barn, with his rifle for company.

past form of “convey” — (of information) make known; pass on

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

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

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

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

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

possessive form of “david” — patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)

From this reading DAVID'S VISITORS.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

every person

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

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

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

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

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Godfrey listened in great amazement to his son's story, and, to satisfy himself of the truth of it, went up to the barn, with his rifle for company.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

follow stealthily or recur constantly and spontaneously to

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

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

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Godfrey listened in great amazement to his son's story, and, to satisfy himself of the truth of it, went up to the barn, with his rifle for company.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

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

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

a river in Palestine that empties into the Dead Sea; John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading Godfrey listened in great amazement to his son's story, and, to satisfy himself of the truth of it, went up to the barn, with his rifle for company.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The trouble began the very next morning.

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

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The trouble began the very next morning.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

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

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

steal goods; take as spoils

From this reading Godfrey listened in great amazement to his son's story, and, to satisfy himself of the truth of it, went up to the barn, with his rifle for company.

(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

meet the requirements or expectations of

From this reading Godfrey listened in great amazement to his son's story, and, to satisfy himself of the truth of it, went up to the barn, with his rifle for company.

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

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading Godfrey listened in great amazement to his son's story, and, to satisfy himself of the truth of it, went up to the barn, with his rifle for company.

so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

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 Godfrey listened in great amazement to his son's story, and, to satisfy himself of the truth of it, went up to the barn, with his rifle for company.

an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

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

From this reading The trouble began the very next morning.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

a source of difficulty

From this reading The trouble began the very next morning.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading Godfrey listened in great amazement to his son's story, and, to satisfy himself of the truth of it, went up to the barn, with his rifle for company.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

precisely as stated

From this reading The trouble began the very next morning.

plural of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading DAVID'S VISITORS.

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

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Godfrey listened in great amazement to his son's story, and, to satisfy himself of the truth of it, went up to the barn, with his rifle for company.

during the time that

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

which person or people

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.

in the company of; together with

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading While Godfrey was sitting on the bench in front of his cabin, deeply engrossed with his own thoughts, Dan came rushing up with a face full of terror, and conveyed to him the startling intelligence that a "haunt"--a Northern boy would have called it a ghost--had been seen at General Gordon's barn.

plural of “yankee” — an American who lives in the North (especially during the American Civil War)

From this reading It looked exactly like old Jordan, the negro, who had buried the treasure in the potato-patch; but of course it couldn't be old Jordan, for he had never been heard of since he ran away with the Yankees, and everybody believed him to be dead.