used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
alienadjectiveUS /ˈeɪliən/
not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The Cumberland mountain mother, by nature sharp and sane, has studied the moods of the mountains and of the animals.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As the Southern mountains are not like other mountains, so the mountaineers are not like others.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the Southern mountains are not like other mountains, so the mountaineers are not like others.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Cumberland mountain mother, by nature sharp and sane, has studied the moods of the mountains and of the animals.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
CumberlandnounUS /ˈkʌmbərlənd/
English general; son of George II; fought unsuccessfully in the battle of Fontenoy (1721-1765)
From this reading The Cumberland mountain mother, by nature sharp and sane, has studied the moods of the mountains and of the animals.
doorstepsnounUS /ˈdɔːrsteps/
plural of “doorstep” — the sill of a door; a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway and offers support when passing through a doorway
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
farmsnounUS /fɑːrmz/
plural of “farm” — workplace consisting of farm buildings and cultivated land as a unit
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Illiterate though she be, she is full of ripe wisdom.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Cumberland mountain mother, by nature sharp and sane, has studied the moods of the mountains and of the animals.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
IlliterateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈlɪtərət/
not able to read or write
From this reading Illiterate though she be, she is full of ripe wisdom.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
inferioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɪriər/
of or characteristic of low rank or importance
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Illiterate though she be, she is full of ripe wisdom.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading As the Southern mountains are not like other mountains, so the mountaineers are not like others.
livelihoodnounUS /ˈlaɪvlihʊd/
the financial means whereby one lives
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
moodsnounUS /muːdz/
plural of “mood” — a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading The Cumberland mountain mother, by nature sharp and sane, has studied the moods of the mountains and of the animals.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The Cumberland mountain mother, by nature sharp and sane, has studied the moods of the mountains and of the animals.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The Cumberland mountain mother, by nature sharp and sane, has studied the moods of the mountains and of the animals.
mountaineersnounUS /ˈmaʊntɪnɪrz/
plural of “mountaineer” — someone who climbs mountains
From this reading As the Southern mountains are not like other mountains, so the mountaineers are not like others.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading As the Southern mountains are not like other mountains, so the mountaineers are not like others.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading The Cumberland mountain mother, by nature sharp and sane, has studied the moods of the mountains and of the animals.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As the Southern mountains are not like other mountains, so the mountaineers are not like others.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Cumberland mountain mother, by nature sharp and sane, has studied the moods of the mountains and of the animals.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading As the Southern mountains are not like other mountains, so the mountaineers are not like others.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the Southern mountains are not like other mountains, so the mountaineers are not like others.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
perpendicularnounUS /ˌpɜːrpənˈdɪkjələr/
a straight line at right angles to another line
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
ripeadjectiveUS /raɪp/
fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used
From this reading Illiterate though she be, she is full of ripe wisdom.
saneadjectiveUS /seɪn/
mentally healthy; free from mental disorder
From this reading The Cumberland mountain mother, by nature sharp and sane, has studied the moods of the mountains and of the animals.
sanitationnounUS /ˌsænəˈteɪʃən/
the state of being clean and conducive to health
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
sanitynounUS /ˈsænəti/
normal or sound powers of mind
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
sawmillsnounUS /ˈsɔːmɪlz/
plural of “sawmill” — a large sawing machine
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
express in words
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading The Cumberland mountain mother, by nature sharp and sane, has studied the moods of the mountains and of the animals.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Illiterate though she be, she is full of ripe wisdom.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As the Southern mountains are not like other mountains, so the mountaineers are not like others.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading As the Southern mountains are not like other mountains, so the mountaineers are not like others.
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading The Cumberland mountain mother, by nature sharp and sane, has studied the moods of the mountains and of the animals.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As the Southern mountains are not like other mountains, so the mountaineers are not like others.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Illiterate though she be, she is full of ripe wisdom.
very small
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
treacherousadjectiveUS /ˈtretʃərəs/
dangerously unstable and unpredictable
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
waryadjectiveUS /ˈweri/
marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
which person or people
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
From this reading Illiterate though she be, she is full of ripe wisdom.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Many, superior to the mountain woman in, say, sanitation might learn from sitting on cabin doorsteps that they are most often inferior to her in sanity.
woodlandsnounUS /ˈwʊdlændz/
plural of “woodland” — land that is covered with trees and shrubs
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
wringverbUS /rɪŋ/
twist and press out of shape
From this reading For all their beauty these mountains are treacherous and alien, and the people who must wring a livelihood from the sawmills or from the tiny perpendicular farms high up under the sky come to be wary and secret like their woodlands.
