Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

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

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

any thing at all

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

the verbal act of requesting

From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.

possessive form of “baker” — someone who bakes commercially

From this reading THE BAKER’S CART.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

brought into existence

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

the two together, not just one

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal

From this reading THE BAKER’S CART.

plural of “chimney” — a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

an assertion of a right (as to money or property)

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

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

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

the quality of having an inferior or less favorable position

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

struck with fear, dread, or consternation

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

the act of departing

From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

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

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

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

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

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

From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.

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

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

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

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)

From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.

immediately past

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

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 The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

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

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

a particular point in time

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

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

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

on one occasion

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.

relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

a small lake

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

-ing form of “revolve” — turn on or around an axis or a center

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

cut with a saw

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.

plural of “spire” — a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

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

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

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

From this reading THE BAKER’S CART.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

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

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading He could think of nothing but going into the shops, or knocking at the house-doors, and asking for something to do.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

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

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

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

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

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

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

not disposed or inclined toward

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

precisely as stated

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

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

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

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

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

at the time that

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

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

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

which person or people

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

in the company of; together with

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The sweepings of the mill-floor did not last them long, and by the time they saw rising before them the spires and chimneys of the small county town to which the road had been leading them, they were very hungry indeed--as hungry as they well could be without having begun to grow faint.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The moment he saw them, Clare began revolving in his mind once more, as many times on the way, what he was to do to get work: Tommy of course was too small to do anything, and Clare must earn enough for both.

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

From this reading So filled was he with his need of work, and with the undefined sense of a claim for work, that he never thought how much against him must be the outward appearance which had so dismayed himself when he saw it in the pond; never thought how unwilling any one would be to employ him, or what a disadvantage was the company of Tommy, who had every mark of a born thief.