Chapter I

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

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

later than; following

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The Mississippi was flaunting itself in the face of opposition along its southern banks.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "SONNY," "HOLLY AND PIZEN," "MORIAH'S MOURNING," "NAPOLEON JACKSON," ETC.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "SONNY," "HOLLY AND PIZEN," "MORIAH'S MOURNING," "NAPOLEON JACKSON," ETC.

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading The Mississippi was flaunting itself in the face of opposition along its southern banks.

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

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It had carried much before it in its downward path ere it reached New Orleans.

dearly loved

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

the top edge of a vessel or other container

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

showing who or what does the action

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading It had carried much before it in its downward path ere it reached New Orleans.

past form of “challenge” — take exception to

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

a dark purplish-red color

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

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

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

having gaps or spaces

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

the state of being decayed or destroyed

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

extending or moving from a higher to a lower place

From this reading It had carried much before it in its downward path ere it reached New Orleans.

American theologian whose sermons and writings stimulated a period of renewed interest in religion in America (1703-1758)

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection)

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

an old word for “before”

From this reading It had carried much before it in its downward path ere it reached New Orleans.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "SONNY," "HOLLY AND PIZEN," "MORIAH'S MOURNING," "NAPOLEON JACKSON," ETC.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The Mississippi was flaunting itself in the face of opposition along its southern banks.

a boy or man

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

-ing form of “flaunt” — display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously

From this reading The Mississippi was flaunting itself in the face of opposition along its southern banks.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

plural of “gang” — an association of criminals

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

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

From this reading It had carried much before it in its downward path ere it reached New Orleans.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

any tree or shrub of the genus Ilex having red berries and shiny evergreen leaves with prickly edges

From this reading AUTHOR OF "SONNY," "HOLLY AND PIZEN," "MORIAH'S MOURNING," "NAPOLEON JACKSON," ETC.

past form of “ice” — decorate with frosting

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

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

From this reading The Mississippi was flaunting itself in the face of opposition along its southern banks.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had carried much before it in its downward path ere it reached New Orleans.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The Mississippi was flaunting itself in the face of opposition along its southern banks.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The Mississippi was flaunting itself in the face of opposition along its southern banks.

English film actress who later became a member of British Parliament (born in 1936)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "SONNY," "HOLLY AND PIZEN," "MORIAH'S MOURNING," "NAPOLEON JACKSON," ETC.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

a formal reception of visitors or guests (as at a royal court)

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

having a small elevation above the ground or horizon or sea level

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

the force of workers available

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

a major North American river and the chief river of the United States; rises in northern Minnesota and flows southward into the Gulf of Mexico

From this reading The Mississippi was flaunting itself in the face of opposition along its southern banks.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "SONNY," "HOLLY AND PIZEN," "MORIAH'S MOURNING," "NAPOLEON JACKSON," ETC.

state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one

From this reading AUTHOR OF "SONNY," "HOLLY AND PIZEN," "MORIAH'S MOURNING," "NAPOLEON JACKSON," ETC.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading It had carried much before it in its downward path ere it reached New Orleans.

French general who became emperor of the French (1769-1821)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "SONNY," "HOLLY AND PIZEN," "MORIAH'S MOURNING," "NAPOLEON JACKSON," ETC.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading It had carried much before it in its downward path ere it reached New Orleans.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF "SONNY," "HOLLY AND PIZEN," "MORIAH'S MOURNING," "NAPOLEON JACKSON," ETC.

the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with

From this reading The Mississippi was flaunting itself in the face of opposition along its southern banks.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

a city on the Loire river in north central France; site of the siege of Orleans by the English (1428-1429)

From this reading It had carried much before it in its downward path ere it reached New Orleans.

a course of conduct

From this reading It had carried much before it in its downward path ere it reached New Orleans.

a heavy iron tool with a wooden handle and a curved head that is pointed on both ends

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "SONNY," "HOLLY AND PIZEN," "MORIAH'S MOURNING," "NAPOLEON JACKSON," ETC.

an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading It had carried much before it in its downward path ere it reached New Orleans.

-ing form of “reinforce” — make stronger

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

sweetened red wine and orange or lemon juice with soda water

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

inflected form of “sip” — drink in sips

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

a male child (a familiar term of address to a boy)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "SONNY," "HOLLY AND PIZEN," "MORIAH'S MOURNING," "NAPOLEON JACKSON," ETC.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading The Mississippi was flaunting itself in the face of opposition along its southern banks.

a playing card in the major suit that has one or more black figures on it

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

openly distrustful and unwilling to confide

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

a thick sweet sticky liquid

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

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

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

in or at that place or location

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

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

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

not exhibiting or characterized by careful thought

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

a formal word for “on”

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

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

From this reading The Mississippi was flaunting itself in the face of opposition along its southern banks.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading A plantation here, a low-lying settlement there, a cotton-field in bloom under its brim, had challenged its waters and been taken in, and there was desolation in its wake.

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

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees

in the company of; together with

From this reading With Pictures by Barry C. Edwards Upon the brow of the levee Gangs of men, reinforcing suspicious danger points with pickax and spade Sipped iced orange syrup or claret sangaree The brave, unthinking fellow, after embracing his beloved, dashed to the front Her arms were about his knees