Chapter III

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

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

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

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”

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

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”

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

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

a native or inhabitant of England prior to the Norman Conquest

From this reading The story which follows would tend to indicate that this trait really does persist in our Anglo-Saxon cousins.

the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”

the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

any thing at all

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

for the reason that

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Through the fields between two villages in Sussex ran a footpath.

call forth

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

resistant to change, particularly in relation to politics or religion

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

plural of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading The story which follows would tend to indicate that this trait really does persist in our Anglo-Saxon cousins.

approval

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

accepted or habitual practice

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

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

From this reading The story which follows would tend to indicate that this trait really does persist in our Anglo-Saxon cousins.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

every person

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

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

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading Through the fields between two villages in Sussex ran a footpath.

third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading The story which follows would tend to indicate that this trait really does persist in our Anglo-Saxon cousins.

a trodden path

From this reading Through the fields between two villages in Sussex ran a footpath.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

the act of departing

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

plural of “hamlet” — a community of people smaller than a village

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

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

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

feeling great sexual desire

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

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

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”

be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading The story which follows would tend to indicate that this trait really does persist in our Anglo-Saxon cousins.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

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

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”

plural of “merit” — any admirable quality or attribute

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

completely unclothed

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

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

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

in an original manner

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading The story which follows would tend to indicate that this trait really does persist in our Anglo-Saxon cousins.

continue to exist

From this reading The story which follows would tend to indicate that this trait really does persist in our Anglo-Saxon cousins.

most quickly

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

any competition

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Through the fields between two villages in Sussex ran a footpath.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading The story which follows would tend to indicate that this trait really does persist in our Anglo-Saxon cousins.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

an established line of travel or access

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”

a member of a Germanic people who conquered England and merged with the Angles and Jutes to become Anglo-Saxons; dominant in England until the Norman Conquest

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

plural of “serf” — (Middle Ages) a person who is bound to the land and owned by the feudal lord

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

a lace used for fastening shoes

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading The story which follows would tend to indicate that this trait really does persist in our Anglo-Saxon cousins.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

a county in southern England on the English Channel; formerly an Anglo-Saxon kingdom that was captured by Wessex in the 9th century

From this reading Through the fields between two villages in Sussex ran a footpath.

have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

From this reading The story which follows would tend to indicate that this trait really does persist in our Anglo-Saxon cousins.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

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

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

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

From this reading The story which follows would tend to indicate that this trait really does persist in our Anglo-Saxon cousins.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Through the fields between two villages in Sussex ran a footpath.

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

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”

past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

plural of “tradition” — an inherited pattern of thought or action

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

a distinguishing feature of your personal nature

From this reading The story which follows would tend to indicate that this trait really does persist in our Anglo-Saxon cousins.

surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Through the fields between two villages in Sussex ran a footpath.

the act of tying or binding things together

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”

difficult to solve or alleviate

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Through the fields between two villages in Sussex ran a footpath.

past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

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

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading § 46 The Custom of the Country The English have the credit for being a conservative race—a breed in which respect for traditions is so strong that they hesitate to change anything which has behind it the merits of antiquity and established comfort.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading It was not the quickest route for one going from one of the hamlets to the other, for it wandered about, but it had been traced originally by the horny, naked feet of Saxon serfs, and now was worn deep into the turf by the heels of countless generations, and everybody in the neighborhood used it, because everybody always had.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The story which follows would tend to indicate that this trait really does persist in our Anglo-Saxon cousins.

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

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Oh,” said the ex-sandwich man, in tones of an uncontrollable annoyance, “you’re _always_ tying your shoestring!”