Chapter IX

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

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

(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 Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

in addition

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

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

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

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

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

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

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

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

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

in a charming manner

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

for the most part

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

-ing form of “circle” — travel around something

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading He spent two years and a half in this retreat, though often coming forth from it.

capital of the state of New Hampshire; located in south central New Hampshire on the Merrimack river

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

third-person singular of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

third-person singular of “describe” — give a description of

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

one or the other of two

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

a site where people on holiday can pitch a tent

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

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

From this reading He spent two years and a half in this retreat, though often coming forth from it.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He spent two years and a half in this retreat, though often coming forth from it.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading He spent two years and a half in this retreat, though often coming forth from it.

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

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

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

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

the abode of a hermit

From this reading THE WALDEN HERMITAGE.

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

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

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

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

past form of “immortalize” — be or provide a memorial to a person or an event

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

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

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

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

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

plural of “locality” — a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

used to form the superlative

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

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

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

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

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

many times at short intervals

From this reading He spent two years and a half in this retreat, though often coming forth from it.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

third-person singular of “relate” — make a logical or causal connection

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading He spent two years and a half in this retreat, though often coming forth from it.

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

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

cut with a saw

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

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

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

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

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading He spent two years and a half in this retreat, though often coming forth from it.

the season of growth

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

not in physical motion

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

comparative of “swift” — moving very fast

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

a spirit that lives in or frequents the woods

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

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

From this reading THE WALDEN HERMITAGE.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

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

From this reading He spent two years and a half in this retreat, though often coming forth from it.

United States writer and social critic (1817-1862)

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He spent two years and a half in this retreat, though often coming forth from it.

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

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

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

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

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

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

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

From this reading THE WALDEN HERMITAGE.

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

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

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

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

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

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

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

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

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

From this reading The localities of Concord which Thoreau immortalized were chiefly those in the neighborhood of some lake or stream,--though it would be hard to find in that well-watered town, especially in springtime, any place which is not neighbor either to the nine-times circling river Musketaquid, to the swifter Assabet,

the third of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Like all his books, it contains much that might as well have been written on any other subject; but it also describes charmingly the scenes and events of his sylvan life,--his days and nights with Nature.

a late time of life

From this reading It is by his two years' encampment on the shore of a small lake in the Walden woods, a mile south of Concord village, that Thoreau is best known to the world; and the book which relates how he lived and what he saw there is still, as it always was, the most popular of his writings.