used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "Every doggone day's jest identical with all ther balance--save only thet hit's wuss!"
using the voice; not silently
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
balanceverbUS /ˈbæləns/
bring into balance or equilibrium
From this reading "Every doggone day's jest identical with all ther balance--save only thet hit's wuss!"
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
a youthful male person
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
uttered without voice
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Nothin' don't nuver come ter pass hyarabouts!"
creek-bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
crudeadjectiveUS /kruːd/
not carefully or expertly made
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
Cumberlands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading "Every doggone day's jest identical with all ther balance--save only thet hit's wuss!"
disconsolatelyadverb
in grief-stricken loneliness; without comforting circumstances or prospects
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
doggone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every doggone day's jest identical with all ther balance--save only thet hit's wuss!"
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Nothin' don't nuver come ter pass hyarabouts!"
emptinessnounUS /ˈemptinəs/
the state of containing nothing
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading "Every doggone day's jest identical with all ther balance--save only thet hit's wuss!"
enclose with a fence
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
habitationnounUS /ˌhæbəˈteɪʃən/
the native habitat or home of an animal or plant
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
highwaynounUS /ˈhaɪweɪ/
a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
hit's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every doggone day's jest identical with all ther balance--save only thet hit's wuss!"
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
hyarabouts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Nothin' don't nuver come ter pass hyarabouts!"
identicaladjectiveUS /aɪˈdentɪkəl/
exactly alike; incapable of being perceived as different
From this reading "Every doggone day's jest identical with all ther balance--save only thet hit's wuss!"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading "Every doggone day's jest identical with all ther balance--save only thet hit's wuss!"
KentuckynounUS /kənˈtʌki/
a state in east central United States; a border state during the American Civil War; famous for breeding race horses
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
lamentverbUS /ləˈment/
express grief verbally
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
laurelledadjective
crowned with or as if with laurel symbolizing victory
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
log-cabin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
manifestationnounUS /ˌmænəfeˈsteɪʃən/
a clear appearance
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
mud-daubed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
Nothin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Nothin' don't nuver come ter pass hyarabouts!"
nuver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Nothin' don't nuver come ter pass hyarabouts!"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
and nothing more
From this reading "Every doggone day's jest identical with all ther balance--save only thet hit's wuss!"
go across or through
From this reading "Nothin' don't nuver come ter pass hyarabouts!"
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
pioneernounUS /ˌpaɪəˈnɪr/
someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
rottingnounUS /ˈrɑːtɪŋ/
(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
except for; apart from
From this reading "Every doggone day's jest identical with all ther balance--save only thet hit's wuss!"
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
silencesnounUS /ˈsaɪlənsɪz/
plural of “silence” — the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
smokily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
ter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Nothin' don't nuver come ter pass hyarabouts!"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
ther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every doggone day's jest identical with all ther balance--save only thet hit's wuss!"
in or at that place or location
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
thet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every doggone day's jest identical with all ther balance--save only thet hit's wuss!"
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading There behind him a log-cabin breathed smokily through its mud-daubed chimney; a pioneer habitation in every crude line and characteristic.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The boy perched disconsolately on the rotting fence threw forth his lament aloud to the laurelled silences of the mountain sides and the emptiness of space.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
twistingnounUS /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
except if; if not
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
a vivid mental image
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Every doggone day's jest identical with all ther balance--save only thet hit's wuss!"
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading He sat with his back turned on the only signs of human life within the circle of his vision; unless one called the twisting creek-bed at his front, which served that pocket of the Kentucky Cumberlands as a highway, a human manifestation.
wussnounUS /wʌs/
a person who is physically weak and ineffectual
From this reading "Every doggone day's jest identical with all ther balance--save only thet hit's wuss!"
