Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

altered to accommodate to certain requirements or bring into a proper relation

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

later than; following

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading He walked with the painful, forced step of one who has already trudged far.

a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

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

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

to or from every one of two or more (considered individually)

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

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

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

the act of preventing something from occurring

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

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

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

with boldness, in a bold manner

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

in a courageous manner

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

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

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

expletives used informally as intensifiers

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc.

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

having lost freshness or brilliance of color

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading He walked with the painful, forced step of one who has already trudged far.

pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading He walked with the painful, forced step of one who has already trudged far.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

a long fixed look

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

the most powerful members of a society

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

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

From this reading He walked with the painful, forced step of one who has already trudged far.

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

From this reading He walked with the painful, forced step of one who has already trudged far.

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

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

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

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

socks and stockings and tights collectively (the British include underwear)

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

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

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

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

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

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

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

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

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

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

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He walked with the painful, forced step of one who has already trudged far.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

above and across; more than

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

causing physical or psychological pain

From this reading He walked with the painful, forced step of one who has already trudged far.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

having patronage or clients

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

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

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

covered with or consisting of rust

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

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

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

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

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading He walked with the painful, forced step of one who has already trudged far.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

plural of “tavern” — a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

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

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

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

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

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

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

in the direction of

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

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

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

past form of “trudge” — walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud

From this reading He walked with the painful, forced step of one who has already trudged far.

a convict who is considered trustworthy and granted special privileges

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

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

From this reading He walked with the painful, forced step of one who has already trudged far.

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

From this reading It was the best house in Riverstone, and patronized by the gentry, but he adjusted his faded coat, and with a swaggering air entered and walked boldly into the coffee-room.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

be dressed in

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

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

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

in or at the place that

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

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

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.

which person or people

From this reading He walked with the painful, forced step of one who has already trudged far.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A man came slowly over the old stone bridge, and averting his gaze from the dark river with its silent craft, looked with some satisfaction toward the feeble lights of the small town on the other side.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He passed the "Queen Anne"--a mere beershop--without pausing, and after a glance apiece at the "Royal George" and the "Trusty Anchor," kept on his way to where the "Golden Key" hung out a gilded emblem.

a woolen fabric with a hard textured surface and no nap; woven of worsted yarns "he wore a worsted suit"

From this reading His worsted hose, where they were not darned, were in holes, and his coat and knee-breeches were rusty with much wear, but he straightened himself as he reached the end of the bridge and stepped out bravely to the taverns which stood in a row facing the quay.