Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading I think I shall let you do it this time--and have the fee," he added, smiling.

-ing form of “adjoin” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading At this time the southern half of our town was already taken up in farms, but the northern part was still in forest lots.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

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

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

plural of “boundary” — the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

eat an early morning meal

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

past form of “consist” — originate

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I think I shall let you do it this time--and have the fee," he added, smiling.

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

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

plural of “farm” — workplace consisting of farm buildings and cultivated land as a unit

From this reading At this time the southern half of our town was already taken up in farms, but the northern part was still in forest lots.

a fixed charge for a privilege or for professional services

From this reading I think I shall let you do it this time--and have the fee," he added, smiling.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

a man of refinement

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading At this time the southern half of our town was already taken up in farms, but the northern part was still in forest lots.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I think I shall let you do it this time--and have the fee," he added, smiling.

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

From this reading I think I shall let you do it this time--and have the fee," he added, smiling.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

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

From this reading At this time the southern half of our town was already taken up in farms, but the northern part was still in forest lots.

plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

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

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading I think I shall let you do it this time--and have the fee," he added, smiling.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

a large number or amount

From this reading At this time the southern half of our town was already taken up in farms, but the northern part was still in forest lots.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

in large part; mainly or chiefly

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

relating or belonging to or characteristic of a municipality

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading At this time the southern half of our town was already taken up in farms, but the northern part was still in forest lots.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

no longer in use

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

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

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

on one occasion

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

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

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading At this time the southern half of our town was already taken up in farms, but the northern part was still in forest lots.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading At this time the southern half of our town was already taken up in farms, but the northern part was still in forest lots.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

a customary way of operation or behavior

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

an authoritative rule

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

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

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading I think I shall let you do it this time--and have the fee," he added, smiling.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading I think I shall let you do it this time--and have the fee," he added, smiling.

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

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading At this time the southern half of our town was already taken up in farms, but the northern part was still in forest lots.

make square

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

young nobleman attendant on a knight

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

not in physical motion

From this reading At this time the southern half of our town was already taken up in farms, but the northern part was still in forest lots.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading At this time the southern half of our town was already taken up in farms, but the northern part was still in forest lots.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

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

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

being six more than thirty

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I think I shall let you do it this time--and have the fee," he added, smiling.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

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

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

an administrative division of a county

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

gradually intrusive without right or permission

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading At this time the southern half of our town was already taken up in farms, but the northern part was still in forest lots.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

close enough to be walked to

From this reading The practice of walking the town lines is now almost or quite obsolete, but it was a needed precaution when inhabitants were few and when the thirty-six square miles of a township consisted mostly of forest.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

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

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

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

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

at the time that

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The old gentleman was one of the selectmen of the town that year; and an old law, or municipal regulation, required that one or more of the selectmen should walk the town lines--follow round the town boundaries on foot--once a year, to see that the people of adjoining towns, or others, were not trespassing.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading WHEN WE WALKED THE TOWN LINES It was some time the following week, I think, that the old Squire looked across to us at the breakfast table and said, "Boys, don't you want to walk the town lines for me?