Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading 1893.

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

From this reading THE yoke of Poverty galled him exceedingly, and he hated his taskmistress with a most rancorous hatred.

using the voice; not silently

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

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

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

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

From this reading _Author of "Esther Pentreath," "Inconsequent Lives," "Jaco Treloar," &c._ NEW YORK MACMILLAN AND CO.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

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

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

heard or perceptible by the ear

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading _Author of "Esther Pentreath," "Inconsequent Lives," "Jaco Treloar," &c._ NEW YORK MACMILLAN AND CO.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

the state of being under the control of a force or influence or abstract power

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

terminate

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

past form of “brood” — think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading _Author of "Esther Pentreath," "Inconsequent Lives," "Jaco Treloar," &c._ NEW YORK MACMILLAN AND CO.

plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading _Author of "Esther Pentreath," "Inconsequent Lives," "Jaco Treloar," &c._ NEW YORK MACMILLAN AND CO.

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

plural of “curse” — profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

coming down or downward

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

wanted intensely

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

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

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

(Old Testament) a beautiful Jewess chosen by the king of Persia to be his queen; she stopped a plot to massacre all the Jews in Persia (an event celebrated by Jews as the feast of Purim)

From this reading _Author of "Esther Pentreath," "Inconsequent Lives," "Jaco Treloar," &c._ NEW YORK MACMILLAN AND CO.

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

to an extreme degree

From this reading THE yoke of Poverty galled him exceedingly, and he hated his taskmistress with a most rancorous hatred.

opinion or judgment

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

painful from having the skin abraded

From this reading THE yoke of Poverty galled him exceedingly, and he hated his taskmistress with a most rancorous hatred.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

in a grim implacable manner

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

treated with dislike or contempt

From this reading THE yoke of Poverty galled him exceedingly, and he hated his taskmistress with a most rancorous hatred.

the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action

From this reading THE yoke of Poverty galled him exceedingly, and he hated his taskmistress with a most rancorous hatred.

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

From this reading THE yoke of Poverty galled him exceedingly, and he hated his taskmistress with a most rancorous hatred.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

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

From this reading THE yoke of Poverty galled him exceedingly, and he hated his taskmistress with a most rancorous hatred.

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

From this reading THE yoke of Poverty galled him exceedingly, and he hated his taskmistress with a most rancorous hatred.

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

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

lacking worth or importance

From this reading _Author of "Esther Pentreath," "Inconsequent Lives," "Jaco Treloar," &c._ NEW YORK MACMILLAN AND CO.

a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

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

From this reading _Author of "Esther Pentreath," "Inconsequent Lives," "Jaco Treloar," &c._ NEW YORK MACMILLAN AND CO.

plural of “ladder” — steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

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

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading _Author of "Esther Pentreath," "Inconsequent Lives," "Jaco Treloar," &c._ NEW YORK MACMILLAN AND CO.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

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

From this reading _Author of "Esther Pentreath," "Inconsequent Lives," "Jaco Treloar," &c._ NEW YORK MACMILLAN AND CO.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

in a moody manner

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

used to form the superlative

From this reading THE yoke of Poverty galled him exceedingly, and he hated his taskmistress with a most rancorous hatred.

being or made softer or less loud or clear

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

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

From this reading _Author of "Esther Pentreath," "Inconsequent Lives," "Jaco Treloar," &c._ NEW YORK MACMILLAN AND CO.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Author of "Esther Pentreath," "Inconsequent Lives," "Jaco Treloar," &c._ NEW YORK MACMILLAN AND CO.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

above and across; more than

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

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

From this reading _Author of "Esther Pentreath," "Inconsequent Lives," "Jaco Treloar," &c._ NEW YORK MACMILLAN AND CO.

the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions

From this reading THE yoke of Poverty galled him exceedingly, and he hated his taskmistress with a most rancorous hatred.

showing deep-seated resentment

From this reading THE yoke of Poverty galled him exceedingly, and he hated his taskmistress with a most rancorous hatred.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

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

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

a woman taskmaster

From this reading THE yoke of Poverty galled him exceedingly, and he hated his taskmistress with a most rancorous hatred.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

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

From this reading THE yoke of Poverty galled him exceedingly, and he hated his taskmistress with a most rancorous hatred.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

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

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

in the direction of

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

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

From this reading _Author of "Esther Pentreath," "Inconsequent Lives," "Jaco Treloar," &c._ NEW YORK MACMILLAN AND CO.

under the level of the ground

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

in an unsteady manner

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

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

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

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

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

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

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

at the time that

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

in or at the place that

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE yoke of Poverty galled him exceedingly, and he hated his taskmistress with a most rancorous hatred.

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

From this reading And when he was at work in the dreary level, with the darkness lying on his shoulder like a hand, and the candles shining unsteadily through the gloom, like little evil winking eyes, he brooded so moodily over his bondage to Poverty, that he desired to break from it at any cost.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

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

From this reading As he climbed up or down the dripping ladders, descending from sollar to sollar towards the level where he worked, he would set his teeth grimly that he might not curse aloud--an oath underground being an invitation to the Evil One--but in his heart the muffled curses were audible enough.

fabric comprising a fitted part at the top of a garment

From this reading THE yoke of Poverty galled him exceedingly, and he hated his taskmistress with a most rancorous hatred.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading _Author of "Esther Pentreath," "Inconsequent Lives," "Jaco Treloar," &c._ NEW YORK MACMILLAN AND CO.