Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

(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 At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

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

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

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

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

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

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

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

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

relating to or befitting athletics or athletes

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading THE FAIR—THE JOURNEY—THE FIRE Two months passed away.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

lacking or showing a lack of due concern

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

plural of “carter” — Englishman and Egyptologist who in 1922 discovered and excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen (1873-1939)

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

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

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

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

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading THE FAIR—THE JOURNEY—THE FIRE Two months passed away.

a person who operates a farm

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

the month following January and preceding March

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

a boy or man

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

start firing a weapon

From this reading THE FAIR—THE JOURNEY—THE FIRE Two months passed away.

A small part broken or separated off something larger.

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

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

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

showing warm and heartfelt friendliness

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

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

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

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

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

-ing form of “hire” — engage or hire for work

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

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

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

ten 10s

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

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

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

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

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading THE FAIR—THE JOURNEY—THE FIRE Two months passed away.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

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

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

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

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

take somebody somewhere

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

the force of workers available

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading THE FAIR—THE JOURNEY—THE FIRE Two months passed away.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading THE FAIR—THE JOURNEY—THE FIRE Two months passed away.

plural of “peasant” — a country person

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

rejecting or disowning or disclaiming as invalid

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

Identical; not different.

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

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

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

plural of “shepherd” — a clergyman who watches over a group of people

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

term of address for a man

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

express in speech

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

walk heavily

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

having a supporting base

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

an act passed by a legislative body

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

third-person singular of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

of high or superior quality or performance

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

the quality of being superior

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

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

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

plural of “thatcher” — British stateswoman; first woman to serve as Prime Minister (born in 1925)

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

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

From this reading THE FAIR—THE JOURNEY—THE FIRE Two months passed away.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

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

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

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

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

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

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading THE FAIR—THE JOURNEY—THE FIRE Two months passed away.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

the act of using

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

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

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

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

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

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

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

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

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

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

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

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

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

made or constructed by interlacing threads or strips of material or other elements into a whole

From this reading Among these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats; thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the situation required was known to the hirers at a glance.

combat to overcome an opposing tendency or force

From this reading At one end of the street stood from two to three hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance—all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure nothing better than a renunciation of the same.

a reference book that is published regularly once every year

From this reading We are brought on to a day in February, on which was held the yearly statute or hiring fair in the town of Casterbridge.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of somewhat superior appearance to the rest—in fact, his superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to a farmer, and to use “Sir” as a terminational word.