Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading We were thus able to get on much more rapidly with our task of clearing the ground.

the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

feel admiration for

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

relating to or used in or promoting agriculture or farming

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

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

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

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

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

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

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

plural of “beauty” — the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading We therefore put up a room for them next to our own, and which could be heated in winter by the same stove.

put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area

From this reading We were thus able to get on much more rapidly with our task of clearing the ground.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

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

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

marked for certain death

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

one or the other of two

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

-ing form of “fell” — cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

plural of “fence” — a barrier that serves to enclose an area

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading We were thus able to get on much more rapidly with our task of clearing the ground.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

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

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

used of persons; emotionally hardened

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

a large number or amount

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

made warm or hot (“het” is a dialectal variant of “heated”)

From this reading We therefore put up a room for them next to our own, and which could be heated in winter by the same stove.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

having no employment

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

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

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

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

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

device for converting sound waves into electrical energy

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

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

From this reading We were thus able to get on much more rapidly with our task of clearing the ground.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading We were thus able to get on much more rapidly with our task of clearing the ground.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading We therefore put up a room for them next to our own, and which could be heated in winter by the same stove.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

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

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading We were thus able to get on much more rapidly with our task of clearing the ground.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading We therefore put up a room for them next to our own, and which could be heated in winter by the same stove.

located, suited for, or taking place in the open air

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

above and across; more than

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading We therefore put up a room for them next to our own, and which could be heated in winter by the same stove.

an amount of time

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading We therefore put up a room for them next to our own, and which could be heated in winter by the same stove.

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

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

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

with speed

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading We therefore put up a room for them next to our own, and which could be heated in winter by the same stove.

Identical; not different.

From this reading We therefore put up a room for them next to our own, and which could be heated in winter by the same stove.

plural of “settler” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

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

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

in the near future

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

English writer (1832-1904)

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

a kitchen appliance used for cooking food

From this reading We therefore put up a room for them next to our own, and which could be heated in winter by the same stove.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading We were thus able to get on much more rapidly with our task of clearing the ground.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

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

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading We therefore put up a room for them next to our own, and which could be heated in winter by the same stove.

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

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading We were thus able to get on much more rapidly with our task of clearing the ground.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

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

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

below the required standards for a purpose

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

not disposed or inclined toward

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

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

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

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

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

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

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

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

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

at the time that

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

in or at the place that

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

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

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

which person or people

From this reading Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the "old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

in the company of; together with

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.

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

From this reading Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened, dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences.

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

From this reading We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow.