used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I resolved on the spot to be a negro-minstrel.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
agentnounUS /ˈeɪdʒənt/
an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
From this reading Mr. Ford, in whose theatre President Lincoln was assassinated, was, I believe, the agent of this company.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
assassinatedadjectiveUS /əˈsæsəneɪtɪd/
murdered by surprise attack for political reasons
From this reading Mr. Ford, in whose theatre President Lincoln was assassinated, was, I believe, the agent of this company.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
banjo-solo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first troupe of the kind I saw was the old “Kunkels,” and I can convey no idea of the pleasurable thrill I felt at the banjo-solo and the plantation-jig.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I resolved on the spot to be a negro-minstrel.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Mr. Ford, in whose theatre President Lincoln was assassinated, was, I believe, the agent of this company.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The first troupe of the kind I saw was the old “Kunkels,” and I can convey no idea of the pleasurable thrill I felt at the banjo-solo and the plantation-jig.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading MY FIRST COMPANY.
conveyverbUS /kənˈveɪ/
(of information) make known; pass on
From this reading The first troupe of the kind I saw was the old “Kunkels,” and I can convey no idea of the pleasurable thrill I felt at the banjo-solo and the plantation-jig.
esteemedadjectiveUS /ɪˈstiːmd/
having an illustrious reputation; respected
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
at any time
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The first troupe of the kind I saw was the old “Kunkels,” and I can convey no idea of the pleasurable thrill I felt at the banjo-solo and the plantation-jig.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading MY FIRST COMPANY.
FordnounUS /fɔːrd/
United States film maker (1896-1973)
From this reading Mr. Ford, in whose theatre President Lincoln was assassinated, was, I believe, the agent of this company.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The first troupe of the kind I saw was the old “Kunkels,” and I can convey no idea of the pleasurable thrill I felt at the banjo-solo and the plantation-jig.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Ford, in whose theatre President Lincoln was assassinated, was, I believe, the agent of this company.
individualsnounUS /ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒəwəlz/
plural of “individual” — a human being
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The first troupe of the kind I saw was the old “Kunkels,” and I can convey no idea of the pleasurable thrill I felt at the banjo-solo and the plantation-jig.
Kunkels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first troupe of the kind I saw was the old “Kunkels,” and I can convey no idea of the pleasurable thrill I felt at the banjo-solo and the plantation-jig.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
LincolnnounUS /ˈlɪŋkən/
16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)
From this reading Mr. Ford, in whose theatre President Lincoln was assassinated, was, I believe, the agent of this company.
ministersnounUS /ˈmɪnəstərz/
plural of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Ford, in whose theatre President Lincoln was assassinated, was, I believe, the agent of this company.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading MY FIRST COMPANY.
negro-minstrel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I resolved on the spot to be a negro-minstrel.
Negro-minstrels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
not any; not one
From this reading The first troupe of the kind I saw was the old “Kunkels,” and I can convey no idea of the pleasurable thrill I felt at the banjo-solo and the plantation-jig.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The first troupe of the kind I saw was the old “Kunkels,” and I can convey no idea of the pleasurable thrill I felt at the banjo-solo and the plantation-jig.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I resolved on the spot to be a negro-minstrel.
plantation-jig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first troupe of the kind I saw was the old “Kunkels,” and I can convey no idea of the pleasurable thrill I felt at the banjo-solo and the plantation-jig.
pleasurableadjectiveUS /ˈpleʒərəbəl/
affording satisfaction or pleasure
From this reading The first troupe of the kind I saw was the old “Kunkels,” and I can convey no idea of the pleasurable thrill I felt at the banjo-solo and the plantation-jig.
an executive officer of a firm or corporation
From this reading Mr. Ford, in whose theatre President Lincoln was assassinated, was, I believe, the agent of this company.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
determined
From this reading I resolved on the spot to be a negro-minstrel.
cut with a saw
From this reading The first troupe of the kind I saw was the old “Kunkels,” and I can convey no idea of the pleasurable thrill I felt at the banjo-solo and the plantation-jig.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading I resolved on the spot to be a negro-minstrel.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading Mr. Ford, in whose theatre President Lincoln was assassinated, was, I believe, the agent of this company.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Mr. Ford, in whose theatre President Lincoln was assassinated, was, I believe, the agent of this company.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
thrillnounUS /θrɪl/
the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading The first troupe of the kind I saw was the old “Kunkels,” and I can convey no idea of the pleasurable thrill I felt at the banjo-solo and the plantation-jig.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
troupenounUS /truːp/
organization of performers and associated personnel (especially theatrical)
From this reading The first troupe of the kind I saw was the old “Kunkels,” and I can convey no idea of the pleasurable thrill I felt at the banjo-solo and the plantation-jig.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first troupe of the kind I saw was the old “Kunkels,” and I can convey no idea of the pleasurable thrill I felt at the banjo-solo and the plantation-jig.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
belonging to which person
From this reading Mr. Ford, in whose theatre President Lincoln was assassinated, was, I believe, the agent of this company.
produce a literary work
From this reading Negro-minstrels were, I think, more highly esteemed at the time of which I am about to write than they are now; at least, I thought more of them then, both as individuals and as ministers to public amusement, than I ever have since.
