used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.
arrangementsnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənts/
plural of “arrangement” — the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading A rough corral and windmill completed the arrangements.
completely unclothed
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
batteredadjectiveUS /ˈbætərd/
damaged by blows or hard usage
From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
buggynounUS /ˈbʌɡi/
a small lightweight carriage; drawn by a single horse
From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
chickensnounUS /ˈtʃɪkənz/
plural of “chicken” — the flesh of a chicken used for food
From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.
completedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtəd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading A rough corral and windmill completed the arrangements.
seemingly without interruption
From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
corralverbUS /kərˈæl/
enclose in a corral
From this reading A rough corral and windmill completed the arrangements.
cottonwoodsnounUS /ˈkɑːtənwʊdz/
plural of “cottonwood” — any of several North American trees of the genus Populus having a tuft of cottony hairs on the seed
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
dweltverbUS /dwelt/
inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
to or in any or all places
From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
four-by-fours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
by chance
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
poplars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
protectedadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪd/
kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss
From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.
pullingnounUS /ˈpʊlɪŋ/
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading A rough corral and windmill completed the arrangements.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.
settlersnounUS /ˈsetlərz/
plural of “settler” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country
From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
shacksnounUS /ʃæks/
plural of “shack” — small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
get rid of
From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
confined on all sides
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
thills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.
very small
From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
triflingnounUS /ˈtraɪflɪŋ/
the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.
two-roomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE Uncle Jim had friends everywhere.
unpaintedadjectiveUS /ənˈpeɪntɪd/
not having makeup on
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
wheelsnounUS /wiːlz/
plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.
wherein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Continually we were pulling up by one of the tiny two-roomed shacks wherein dwelt the small settlers.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A trifling open shed protected a battered buggy on the thills and wheels of which perched numerous chickens.
windmillnounUS /ˈwɪndmɪl/
a mill that is powered by the wind
From this reading A rough corral and windmill completed the arrangements.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The houses were always of new boards, unpainted, perched on four-by-fours, in the middle of bare ground, perhaps surrounded by young poplars or cottonwoods, but more likely fully exposed to the sun.
