Chapter V · Chapter 5

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

plural of “buzzard” — a New World vulture that is common in South America and Central America and the southern United States

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading The little cabin in the gash of the hills owned for domain a rocky ravine that was the standing jest of the mountain-side.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading "Sure, hit's good land--fine land," the mountaineers would comment with their inveterate, dry, lazy humour.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

obscene terms for feces

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

with great urgency

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

a particular environment or walk of life

From this reading The little cabin in the gash of the hills owned for domain a rocky ravine that was the standing jest of the mountain-side.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading "Sure, hit's good land--fine land," the mountaineers would comment with their inveterate, dry, lazy humour.

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 MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

a quad with a square body

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

plural of “exception” — a deliberate act of omission

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading "Sure, hit's good land--fine land," the mountaineers would comment with their inveterate, dry, lazy humour.

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

moving swiftly

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

cut open

From this reading The little cabin in the gash of the hills owned for domain a rocky ravine that was the standing jest of the mountain-side.

a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "Sure, hit's good land--fine land," the mountaineers would comment with their inveterate, dry, lazy humour.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

a state of misfortune or affliction

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

plural of “hawk” — diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading The little cabin in the gash of the hills owned for domain a rocky ravine that was the standing jest of the mountain-side.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Sure, hit's good land--fine land," the mountaineers would comment with their inveterate, dry, lazy humour.

past form of “hitch” — to hook or entangle

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading "Sure, hit's good land--fine land," the mountaineers would comment with their inveterate, dry, lazy humour.

feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

stopping and starting at irregular intervals

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

habitual

From this reading "Sure, hit's good land--fine land," the mountaineers would comment with their inveterate, dry, lazy humour.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading The little cabin in the gash of the hills owned for domain a rocky ravine that was the standing jest of the mountain-side.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading "Sure, hit's good land--fine land," the mountaineers would comment with their inveterate, dry, lazy humour.

moving slowly and gently

From this reading "Sure, hit's good land--fine land," the mountaineers would comment with their inveterate, dry, lazy humour.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

plural of “leather” — an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The little cabin in the gash of the hills owned for domain a rocky ravine that was the standing jest of the mountain-side.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

qualities that attract by seeming to promise some kind of reward

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

soft leather shoe; originally worn by Native Americans

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little cabin in the gash of the hills owned for domain a rocky ravine that was the standing jest of the mountain-side.

plural of “mountaineer” — someone who climbs mountains

From this reading "Sure, hit's good land--fine land," the mountaineers would comment with their inveterate, dry, lazy humour.

a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

not any; not one

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

many times at short intervals

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

on one occasion

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

having an owner; often used in combination

From this reading The little cabin in the gash of the hills owned for domain a rocky ravine that was the standing jest of the mountain-side.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

a group of seven bright stars in the constellation Ursa Major

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

dried grape

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)

From this reading The little cabin in the gash of the hills owned for domain a rocky ravine that was the standing jest of the mountain-side.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading The little cabin in the gash of the hills owned for domain a rocky ravine that was the standing jest of the mountain-side.

socially incorrect in behavior

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

plural of “season” — a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

having a well-proportioned and pleasing shape

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

having a supporting base

From this reading The little cabin in the gash of the hills owned for domain a rocky ravine that was the standing jest of the mountain-side.

dependable

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading "Sure, hit's good land--fine land," the mountaineers would comment with their inveterate, dry, lazy humour.

plural of “task” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

a social division of (usually preliterate) people

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

not easy to combine harmoniously

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

a vivid mental image

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading THE MOCCASIN FLOWER Johnnie was used to hardship and early rising, but in an intermittent fashion; for the Passmores and Consadines were a haggard lot that came to no lure but their own pleasure.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading They might--and often did--go hungry, ill-clad, ill-housed; they might sometimes--in order to keep soul and body together--have to labour desperately at rude tasks unsuited to them; but these times were exceptions, and between such seasons, down to the least of the tribe, they had always followed the Vision, pursuing the flying skirts of whatever ideal was in their shapely heads.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Nothing on earth to hender a man from raisin' a crap off 'n it--ef he could once git the leathers on a good stout, willin' pa'r o' hawks or buzzards, an' a plough hitched to 'em."

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Sure, hit's good land--fine land," the mountaineers would comment with their inveterate, dry, lazy humour.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading "Sure, hit's good land--fine land," the mountaineers would comment with their inveterate, dry, lazy humour.