used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading No ragamuffin was ever so tattered and torn as this rakish individual.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading No ragamuffin was ever so tattered and torn as this rakish individual.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
barefootadjectiveUS /ˈberfʊt/
without shoes
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
boyishadjectiveUS /ˈbɔɪɪʃ/
befitting or characteristic of a young boy
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
browsnounUS /braʊz/
plural of “brow” — the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
chucklenounUS /ˈtʃʌkəl/
a soft partly suppressed laugh
From this reading Long, thin lips curled into a smile of delicious regard; his sides shook with the quiet chuckle of understanding.
clothing in general
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
coal-blackadjective
of the blackest black; similar to the color of jet or coal
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading Long, thin lips curled into a smile of delicious regard; his sides shook with the quiet chuckle of understanding.
deliciousadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪʃəs/
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Long, thin lips curled into a smile of delicious regard; his sides shook with the quiet chuckle of understanding.
greatly pleased
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
at any time
From this reading No ragamuffin was ever so tattered and torn as this rakish individual.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
freight-car
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
fugitivesnounUS /ˈfjuːdʒɪtɪvz/
plural of “fugitive” — someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
not fake or counterfeit
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
grinnounUS /ɡrɪn/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
harshadjectiveUS /hɑːrʃ/
unpleasantly stern
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
hatlessadjective
not wearing a hat
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
unbiased impartial unconcern
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading No ragamuffin was ever so tattered and torn as this rakish individual.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Long, thin lips curled into a smile of delicious regard; his sides shook with the quiet chuckle of understanding.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
lankadjectiveUS /læŋk/
long and thin and often limp
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Long, thin lips curled into a smile of delicious regard; his sides shook with the quiet chuckle of understanding.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Long, thin lips curled into a smile of delicious regard; his sides shook with the quiet chuckle of understanding.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
mischievousadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstʃəvəs/
naughtily or annoyingly playful
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
mopverbUS /mɑːp/
to wash or wipe with or as if with a mop
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
used to form the superlative
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
not any; not one
From this reading No ragamuffin was ever so tattered and torn as this rakish individual.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Long, thin lips curled into a smile of delicious regard; his sides shook with the quiet chuckle of understanding.
ragamuffinnoun
a dirty shabbily clothed urchin
From this reading No ragamuffin was ever so tattered and torn as this rakish individual.
rakishadjectiveUS /ˈreɪkɪʃ/
marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
From this reading No ragamuffin was ever so tattered and torn as this rakish individual.
on the contrary
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Long, thin lips curled into a smile of delicious regard; his sides shook with the quiet chuckle of understanding.
ruggedadjectiveUS /ˈrʌɡəd/
sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
shaggyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæɡi/
used of hair; thick and poorly groomed
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading Long, thin lips curled into a smile of delicious regard; his sides shook with the quiet chuckle of understanding.
shrewdadjectiveUS /ʃruːd/
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Long, thin lips curled into a smile of delicious regard; his sides shook with the quiet chuckle of understanding.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Long, thin lips curled into a smile of delicious regard; his sides shook with the quiet chuckle of understanding.
snappedverbUS /snæpt/
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading No ragamuffin was ever so tattered and torn as this rakish individual.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
sprightlyadjectiveUS /ˈspraɪtli/
full of spirit and vitality
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
tatteredadjectiveUS /ˈtætərd/
worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing
From this reading No ragamuffin was ever so tattered and torn as this rakish individual.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Long, thin lips curled into a smile of delicious regard; his sides shook with the quiet chuckle of understanding.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading No ragamuffin was ever so tattered and torn as this rakish individual.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was not a creature to strike terror to the heart of any one; on the contrary, his mischievous, sprightly face produced an impression of genuine good humour and absolute indifference to the harsh things of life.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
toppedadjectiveUS /tɑːpt/
having a top of a specified character
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading No ragamuffin was ever so tattered and torn as this rakish individual.
twinkledverbUS /ˈtwɪŋkəld/
past form of “twinkle” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading His clothes barely hung together on his lank frame; he was barefoot and hatless; a great mop of black hair topped his shrewd, rugged face; coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled beneath shaggy brows and a delighted, knowing grin spread slowly over his rather boyish countenance.
a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading Long, thin lips curled into a smile of delicious regard; his sides shook with the quiet chuckle of understanding.
VAGABONDnounUS /ˈvæɡəbɑːnd/
anything that resembles a vagabond in having no fixed place
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
which person or people
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Long, thin lips curled into a smile of delicious regard; his sides shook with the quiet chuckle of understanding.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading THE MERRY VAGABOND The man who stood in the middle of the freight-car, looking down in wonder at the fugitives, was a tall vagabond of the most picturesque type.
