used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Sometimes the road wound a little upward for a quarter of a mile or so; but the general tendency was persistently down.
(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 THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
a cherished desire
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
completely unclothed
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
bedsnounUS /bedz/
plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
brought into existence
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Sometimes the road wound a little upward for a quarter of a mile or so; but the general tendency was persistently down.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
comfortedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtɪd/
made comfortable or more comfortable in a time of distress
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
Consadine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
Cottonville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
the first light of day
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
remove the dust from
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
being one more than seventeen
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
factorynounUS /ˈfæktəri/
a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
fastnesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Sometimes the road wound a little upward for a quarter of a mile or so; but the general tendency was persistently down.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Sometimes the road wound a little upward for a quarter of a mile or so; but the general tendency was persistently down.
a young female
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
high-hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
houndsnounUS /haʊndz/
plural of “hound” — any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
Johnnie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Sometimes the road wound a little upward for a quarter of a mile or so; but the general tendency was persistently down.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
held or filled or in use
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Sometimes the road wound a little upward for a quarter of a mile or so; but the general tendency was persistently down.
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
a course of conduct
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
pebblesnounUS /ˈpebəlz/
plural of “pebble” — a small smooth rounded rock
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
persistentlyadverbUS /pərˈsɪstəntli/
in a persistent manner
From this reading Sometimes the road wound a little upward for a quarter of a mile or so; but the general tendency was persistently down.
quarrelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
one of four equal parts
From this reading Sometimes the road wound a little upward for a quarter of a mile or so; but the general tendency was persistently down.
remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/
located far away spatially
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
riggedadjectiveUS /rɪɡd/
fitted or equipped with necessary rigging (sails and shrouds and stays etc)
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Sometimes the road wound a little upward for a quarter of a mile or so; but the general tendency was persistently down.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
Identical; not different.
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
scrambledadjectiveUS /ˈskræmbəld/
thrown together in a disorderly fashion
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
shamnounUS /ʃæm/
something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
shunningnounUS /ˈʃʌnɪŋ/
deliberately avoiding; keeping away from or preventing from happening
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Sometimes the road wound a little upward for a quarter of a mile or so; but the general tendency was persistently down.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Sometimes the road wound a little upward for a quarter of a mile or so; but the general tendency was persistently down.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
tendencynounUS /ˈtendənsi/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading Sometimes the road wound a little upward for a quarter of a mile or so; but the general tendency was persistently down.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading In the gray dawn of Sunday morning she had stepped from the door of that room where the three beds occupied three corners, and a rude table was rigged in the fourth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
Unakas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
From this reading Sometimes the road wound a little upward for a quarter of a mile or so; but the general tendency was persistently down.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
Watauga
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
at the time that
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
in or at the place that
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading From the little high-hung valley in the remote fastnesses of the Unakas where she was born, Johnnie Consadine was walking down to Cottonville, the factory town on the outskirts of Watauga, to find work.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading THE BIRTH OF AN AMBITION All day the girl had walked steadily, her bare feet comforted by the warm dust, shunning the pebbles, never finding sham stones in the way, making friends with the path--that would always be Johnnie.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading Sometimes the road wound a little upward for a quarter of a mile or so; but the general tendency was persistently down.
a late time of life
From this reading It might almost seem that the same hounds were quarrelling under the floor that had scrambled there eighteen years before when she was born.
