used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
anew
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
(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 Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
borderedadjectiveUS /ˈbɔːrdərd/
having a border especially of a specified kind; sometimes used as a combining term
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
uttered without voice
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The village was cut in two by this natural division.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
convenientadjectiveUS /kənˈviːnjənt/
suited to your comfort or purpose or needs
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
Cottonville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
creeknounUS /kriːk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading The village was cut in two by this natural division.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
divisionnounUS /dɪˈvɪʒən/
an army unit large enough to sustain combat
From this reading The village was cut in two by this natural division.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The road which wound down from the heights ran through the middle of the village and formed its main street.
embankmentsnounUS /emˈbæŋkmənts/
plural of “embankment” — a long artificial mound of stone or earth; built to hold back water or to support a road or as protection
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
exhaledverbUS /eksˈheɪld/
past form of “exhale” — expel air
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
factoriesnounUS /ˈfæktəriz/
plural of “factory” — a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
flimsyadjectiveUS /ˈflɪmzi/
lacking solidity or strength
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading The road which wound down from the heights ran through the middle of the village and formed its main street.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The road which wound down from the heights ran through the middle of the village and formed its main street.
heightsnounUS /haɪts/
a high place
From this reading The road which wound down from the heights ran through the middle of the village and formed its main street.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The village was cut in two by this natural division.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The road which wound down from the heights ran through the middle of the village and formed its main street.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
litternounUS /ˈlɪtər/
the offspring at one birth of a multiparous mammal
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
most important element
From this reading The road which wound down from the heights ran through the middle of the village and formed its main street.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading The road which wound down from the heights ran through the middle of the village and formed its main street.
millsnounUS /mɪlz/
United States architect who was the presidentially appointed architect of Washington D.C. (1781-1855)
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading The village was cut in two by this natural division.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
operativesnounUS /ˈɑːpərətɪvz/
plural of “operative” — a person secretly employed in espionage for a government
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The road which wound down from the heights ran through the middle of the village and formed its main street.
ravinenounUS /rəˈviːn/
a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
show unwillingness towards
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The road which wound down from the heights ran through the middle of the village and formed its main street.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
seweragenounUS /ˈsuːərɪdʒ/
waste matter carried away in sewers or drains
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
shallowadjectiveUS /ˈʃæloʊ/
lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
shantiesnounUS /ˈʃæntiz/
plural of “shanty” — small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
shelvingverbUS /ˈʃelvɪŋ/
-ing form of “shelve” — hold back to a later time
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
the underside of footwear or a golf club
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
starvelingnoun
someone who is starving (or being starved)
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The road which wound down from the heights ran through the middle of the village and formed its main street.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
suburbnounUS /ˈsʌbərb/
a residential district located on the outskirts of a city
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Six big factories in all, some on one side of the state line and some on the other, daily breathed in their live current of operatives and exhaled them again to fill the litter of flimsy shanties.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The village was cut in two by this natural division.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The road which wound down from the heights ran through the middle of the village and formed its main street.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The village was cut in two by this natural division.
unhandy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
the act of using
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The village was cut in two by this natural division.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The village was cut in two by this natural division.
wet-weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
in or at the place that
From this reading It clung to the shelving sides of the shallow ravine; it was scattered like bits of refuse on the numerous railroad embankments, where building was unhandy and streets almost impossible, to be convenient to the mills.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading OF THE USE OF FEET The suburb of Cottonville bordered a creek, a starveling, wet-weather stream which offered the sole suggestion of sewerage.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading The road which wound down from the heights ran through the middle of the village and formed its main street.
