Chapter IV · Chapter 4

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

(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 "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

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

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

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

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

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

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

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

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

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

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

have

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

call upon in supplication; entreat

From this reading I beg pardon.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

United States comedian and film actor (1896-1996)

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

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

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

rid of obstructions

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

every day; without missing a day

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

plural of “die” — a small cube with 1 to 6 spots on the six faces; used in gambling to generate random numbers

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

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

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

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

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

start firing a weapon

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

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

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

heal or recover

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

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

From this reading Henrietta, but what were you talking about?"

where you live at a particular time

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

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

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

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

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

address a question to and expect an answer from

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

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

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

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

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

subject to death

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

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

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

on one occasion

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

accept an excuse for

From this reading I beg pardon.

inferior in rank or status

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

capable of happening or existing

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

let for money

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

ruined or disrupted

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

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

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

plural of “stab” — a sudden sharp feeling

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

not in physical motion

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading Henrietta, but what were you talking about?"

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

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

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

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

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

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

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

plural of “thorn” — something that causes irritation and annoyance

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

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

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

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

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

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

From this reading Henrietta, but what were you talking about?"

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "About whom?

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"

plural of “wound” — an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading _"The little griefs--the petty wounds--The stabs of daily care-- 'Crackling of thorns beneath the pot,' As life's fire burns--now cold, now hot-- How hard they are to bear!_ _"But on the fire burns, clear and still; The cankering sorrow dies; The small wounds heal; the clouds are rent, And through this shattered mortal tent Shine down the eternal skies."_

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Henrietta, but what were you talking about?"

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Dr. Grey, as to-day is your 'at home'--at least, as much of an 'at home' as is possible under the circumstances--I wished to inquire, once for all, what is to be done about the Fergusons?"