Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

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

From this reading Author of "Lyrics of Lowly Life," "Poems of Cabin and Field," "Candle-Lightin' Time," "The Fanatics," etc.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

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

From this reading Author of "Lyrics of Lowly Life," "Poems of Cabin and Field," "Candle-Lightin' Time," "The Fanatics," etc.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

any of numerous small and pulpy edible fruits; used as desserts or in making jams and jellies and preserves

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

the two together, not just one

From this reading It was somewhat in the manner of the old cabin in the quarters, with which usage as well as tradition had made both master and servant familiar.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, unlike the cabin of the elder day, it was a neatly furnished, modern house, the home of a typical, good-living negro.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading Author of "Lyrics of Lowly Life," "Poems of Cabin and Field," "Candle-Lightin' Time," "The Fanatics," etc.

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

From this reading Author of "Lyrics of Lowly Life," "Poems of Cabin and Field," "Candle-Lightin' Time," "The Fanatics," etc.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

a small house with a single story

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

a female human offspring

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading But, unlike the cabin of the elder day, it was a neatly furnished, modern house, the home of a typical, good-living negro.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading But, unlike the cabin of the elder day, it was a neatly furnished, modern house, the home of a typical, good-living negro.

a person or firm that employs workers

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

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

From this reading Author of "Lyrics of Lowly Life," "Poems of Cabin and Field," "Candle-Lightin' Time," "The Fanatics," etc.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading It was somewhat in the manner of the old cabin in the quarters, with which usage as well as tradition had made both master and servant familiar.

plural of “fanatic” — a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause)

From this reading Author of "Lyrics of Lowly Life," "Poems of Cabin and Field," "Candle-Lightin' Time," "The Fanatics," etc.

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

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading Author of "Lyrics of Lowly Life," "Poems of Cabin and Field," "Candle-Lightin' Time," "The Fanatics," etc.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)

From this reading But, unlike the cabin of the elder day, it was a neatly furnished, modern house, the home of a typical, good-living negro.

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

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

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

From this reading But, unlike the cabin of the elder day, it was a neatly furnished, modern house, the home of a typical, good-living negro.

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

From this reading It was somewhat in the manner of the old cabin in the quarters, with which usage as well as tradition had made both master and servant familiar.

possessive form of “hamilton” — Irish mathematician (1806-1865)

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

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

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

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

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading But, unlike the cabin of the elder day, it was a neatly furnished, modern house, the home of a typical, good-living negro.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading But, unlike the cabin of the elder day, it was a neatly furnished, modern house, the home of a typical, good-living negro.

a social unit living together

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

ten 10s

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

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

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

(computer science) a single execution of a set of instructions that are to be repeated

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

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

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

a case for containing a set of articles

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Author of "Lyrics of Lowly Life," "Poems of Cabin and Field," "Candle-Lightin' Time," "The Fanatics," etc.

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

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading Author of "Lyrics of Lowly Life," "Poems of Cabin and Field," "Candle-Lightin' Time," "The Fanatics," etc.

plural of “lyric” — the text of a popular song or musical-comedy number

From this reading Author of "Lyrics of Lowly Life," "Poems of Cabin and Field," "Candle-Lightin' Time," "The Fanatics," etc.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It was somewhat in the manner of the old cabin in the quarters, with which usage as well as tradition had made both master and servant familiar.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was somewhat in the manner of the old cabin in the quarters, with which usage as well as tradition had made both master and servant familiar.

(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading It was somewhat in the manner of the old cabin in the quarters, with which usage as well as tradition had made both master and servant familiar.

United States poet (1869-1950)

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading But, unlike the cabin of the elder day, it was a neatly furnished, modern house, the home of a typical, good-living negro.

the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

with neatness

From this reading But, unlike the cabin of the elder day, it was a neatly furnished, modern house, the home of a typical, good-living negro.

a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today

From this reading But, unlike the cabin of the elder day, it was a neatly furnished, modern house, the home of a typical, good-living negro.

not any; not one

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

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

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of "Lyrics of Lowly Life," "Poems of Cabin and Field," "Candle-Lightin' Time," "The Fanatics," etc.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

plural of “overseer” — a person who directs and manages an organization

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

plural of “plantation” — an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading Author of "Lyrics of Lowly Life," "Poems of Cabin and Field," "Candle-Lightin' Time," "The Fanatics," etc.

housing available for people to live in

From this reading It was somewhat in the manner of the old cabin in the quarters, with which usage as well as tradition had made both master and servant familiar.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading It was somewhat in the manner of the old cabin in the quarters, with which usage as well as tradition had made both master and servant familiar.

plural of “slave” — a person who is owned by someone

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading It was somewhat in the manner of the old cabin in the quarters, with which usage as well as tradition had made both master and servant familiar.

a male human offspring

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

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

From this reading Author of "Lyrics of Lowly Life," "Poems of Cabin and Field," "Candle-Lightin' Time," "The Fanatics," etc.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Author of "Lyrics of Lowly Life," "Poems of Cabin and Field," "Candle-Lightin' Time," "The Fanatics," etc.

so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

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

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

an inherited pattern of thought or action

From this reading It was somewhat in the manner of the old cabin in the quarters, with which usage as well as tradition had made both master and servant familiar.

exhibiting the qualities or characteristics that identify a group or kind or category

From this reading But, unlike the cabin of the elder day, it was a neatly furnished, modern house, the home of a typical, good-living negro.

marked by dissimilarity

From this reading But, unlike the cabin of the elder day, it was a neatly furnished, modern house, the home of a typical, good-living negro.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

the act of using

From this reading It was somewhat in the manner of the old cabin in the quarters, with which usage as well as tradition had made both master and servant familiar.

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

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading It was somewhat in the manner of the old cabin in the quarters, with which usage as well as tradition had made both master and servant familiar.

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

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

at the time that

From this reading Fiction has said so much in regret of the old days when there were plantations and overseers and masters and slaves, that it was good to come upon such a household as Berry Hamilton's, if for no other reason than that it afforded a relief from the monotony of tiresome iteration.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

which person or people

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading The little cottage in which he lived with his wife, Fannie, who was housekeeper to the Oakleys, and his son and daughter, Joe and Kit, sat back in the yard some hundred paces from the mansion of his employer.