1861
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MOCKING-BIRD The time, a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the early autumn of 1861.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MOCKING-BIRD The time, a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the early autumn of 1861.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The arms were folded tightly across the breast.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading THE MOCKING-BIRD The time, a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the early autumn of 1861.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading The arms were folded tightly across the breast.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading THE MOCKING-BIRD The time, a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the early autumn of 1861.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
barrelnounUS /ˈbærəl/
a tube through which a bullet travels when a gun is fired
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading The arms were folded tightly across the breast.
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
concealingnounUS /kənˈsiːlɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
contactnounUS /ˈkɑːntækt/
close interaction
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading THE MOCKING-BIRD The time, a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the early autumn of 1861.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
FederaladjectiveUS /ˈfedərəl/
national; especially in reference to the government of the United States as distinct from that of its member units
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading The arms were folded tightly across the breast.
forest'snounUS /ˈfɔːrəsts/
possessive form of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The place, a forest's heart in the mountain region of southwestern Virginia.
Grayrock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The place, a forest's heart in the mountain region of southwestern Virginia.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE MOCKING-BIRD The time, a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the early autumn of 1861.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
leansnounUS /liːnz/
plural of “lean” — the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the vertical
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
staying power
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
MOCKING-BIRD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MOCKING-BIRD The time, a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the early autumn of 1861.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The place, a forest's heart in the mountain region of southwestern Virginia.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MOCKING-BIRD The time, a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the early autumn of 1861.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The place, a forest's heart in the mountain region of southwestern Virginia.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading THE MOCKING-BIRD The time, a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the early autumn of 1861.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
regionnounUS /ˈriːdʒən/
the extended spatial location of something
From this reading The place, a forest's heart in the mountain region of southwestern Virginia.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
rootnounUS /ruːt/
(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
express in words
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
southwesternadjectiveUS /ˌsaʊˈθwestərn/
situated in or oriented toward the southwest
From this reading The place, a forest's heart in the mountain region of southwestern Virginia.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading THE MOCKING-BIRD The time, a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the early autumn of 1861.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The arms were folded tightly across the breast.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
thighsnounUS /θaɪz/
plural of “thigh” — the part of the leg between the hip and the knee
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading The arms were folded tightly across the breast.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE MOCKING-BIRD The time, a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the early autumn of 1861.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/
a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading The place, a forest's heart in the mountain region of southwestern Virginia.
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The arms were folded tightly across the breast.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Private Grayrock of the Federal Army is discovered seated comfortably at the root of a great pine tree, against which he leans, his legs extended straight along the ground, his rifle lying across his thighs, his hands (clasped in order that they may not fall away to his sides) resting upon the barrel of the weapon.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The contact of the back of his head with the tree has pushed his cap downward over his eyes, almost concealing them; one seeing him would say that he slept.
