used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The cabin was situated about half a mile from the broad trail leading from Point Pleasant to the Virginia settlements.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
borderernoun
an inhabitant of a border area (especially the border between Scotland and England)
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The cabin was situated about half a mile from the broad trail leading from Point Pleasant to the Virginia settlements.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading The cabin itself, though situated far from the line of civilization, showed evident signs of human occupation.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading A little clearing surrounded it.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The cabin itself, though situated far from the line of civilization, showed evident signs of human occupation.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
the organ of sight
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The cabin itself, though situated far from the line of civilization, showed evident signs of human occupation.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
foot-path
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The cabin was situated about half a mile from the broad trail leading from Point Pleasant to the Virginia settlements.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading The cabin itself, though situated far from the line of civilization, showed evident signs of human occupation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A little clearing surrounded it.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The cabin itself, though situated far from the line of civilization, showed evident signs of human occupation.
KanawhanounUS /kəˈnɔːhə/
a tributary of the Ohio River in West Virginia
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading The cabin was situated about half a mile from the broad trail leading from Point Pleasant to the Virginia settlements.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The cabin itself, though situated far from the line of civilization, showed evident signs of human occupation.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A little clearing surrounded it.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The cabin was situated about half a mile from the broad trail leading from Point Pleasant to the Virginia settlements.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading The cabin itself, though situated far from the line of civilization, showed evident signs of human occupation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
a course of conduct
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
practicedadjectiveUS /ˈpræktəst/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
rivalverbUS /ˈraɪvəl/
be equal to in quality or ability
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
settlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
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 By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
settlementsnounUS /ˈsetəlmənts/
plural of “settlement” — 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 The cabin was situated about half a mile from the broad trail leading from Point Pleasant to the Virginia settlements.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The cabin itself, though situated far from the line of civilization, showed evident signs of human occupation.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading The cabin itself, though situated far from the line of civilization, showed evident signs of human occupation.
situatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪtʃuːeɪtɪd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The cabin was situated about half a mile from the broad trail leading from Point Pleasant to the Virginia settlements.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
confined on all sides
From this reading A little clearing surrounded it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By the northern bank of the Kanawha, some five miles from the settlement of Point Pleasant, stood a lonely cabin.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The cabin itself, though situated far from the line of civilization, showed evident signs of human occupation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The cabin was situated about half a mile from the broad trail leading from Point Pleasant to the Virginia settlements.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading The cabin was situated about half a mile from the broad trail leading from Point Pleasant to the Virginia settlements.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/
a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading The cabin was situated about half a mile from the broad trail leading from Point Pleasant to the Virginia settlements.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The cabin was situated about half a mile from the broad trail leading from Point Pleasant to the Virginia settlements.
weedsnounUS /wiːdz/
a black garment (dress) worn by a widow as a sign of mourning
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
a Caucasian
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
woodcraftnoun
skill and experience in matters relating to the woods (as hunting or fishing or camping)
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A narrow foot-path led from the broad trail to the lonely cabin, but so little was it used and so dense had grown the weeds and rank grass of the forest about it, that it would almost have required the practiced eye of the savage, or his rival in woodcraft, the white borderer, to have discovered the existence of the path.
