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 * * * * * Our folk slept a great deal at the Lodge.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

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

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

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

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

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

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading * * * * * Our folk slept a great deal at the Lodge.

completely unclothed

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

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

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

plural of “bunk” — a long trough for feeding cattle

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

having cracks and crevices stopped up with a filler

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

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

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

navigational instrument for finding directions

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

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

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading * * * * * Our folk slept a great deal at the Lodge.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

take in solid food

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

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

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

plural of “extreme” — the furthest or highest degree of something

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading * * * * * Our folk slept a great deal at the Lodge.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

set up or found

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading * * * * * Our folk slept a great deal at the Lodge.

plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

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

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

reflecting the fear or terror of one who is hunted

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

plural of “icicle” — ice resembling a pendent spear, formed by the freezing of dripping water

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

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

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

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 But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

be a lodger; stay temporarily

From this reading * * * * * Our folk slept a great deal at the Lodge.

plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

a text browser

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

the force of workers available

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

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

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading * * * * * Our folk slept a great deal at the Lodge.

plural of “pang” — a sudden sharp feeling

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

go across or through

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

given to merry frolicking

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

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

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading * * * * * Our folk slept a great deal at the Lodge.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

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

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

move an implement through

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

a kitchen appliance used for cooking food

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

express a supposition

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

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

From this reading * * * * * Our folk slept a great deal at the Lodge.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

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

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

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

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

plural of “tilt” — a combat between two mounted knights tilting against each other with blunted lances

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

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

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

forced to turn and face attackers

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

precisely as stated

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

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

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

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

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

at the time that

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

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

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The stove was kept at red heat, day and night, but, notwithstanding, there was half an inch of frost on the walls and great icicles under the bunks: extremes of temperature were thus to be found within a very narrow compass.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading They seemed to want to have the winter pass without knowing more than they could help of the various pangs of it--like the bears.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The tilts were built of slim logs, caulked with moss; and there was but one room--and that a bare one--with bunks at one end for the women and a cock-loft above for the men.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

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

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But, when the weather permitted them to stir without, they trapped for fox and lynx, and hunted (to small purpose) with antiquated guns, and cut wood, if they were in the humour; and whatever necessity compelled them to do, and whatever they had to eat (since there was at least enough of it), they managed to have a rollicking time of it, as you would not suppose, without being told.