Chapter I

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

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

how long something has existed

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

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

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

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

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

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

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

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

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

plural of “care” — the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

law determining the fundamental political principles of a government

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

the appearance conveyed by a person's face

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

an imperfection in a bodily system

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

a county in southwestern England

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

divisible by two

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

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

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

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

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

a state of misfortune or affliction

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

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

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

to a considerable degree

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

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

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

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

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

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

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

a man skilled in equitation

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

the state or an instance of being imperfect

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

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

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

inflected form of “infer” — reason by deduction; establish by deduction

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

the act of imposing something (as a tax or an embargo)

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

and nothing more

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

immediately past

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

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

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

a town in west central Texas

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

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

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

not any; not one

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

above and across; more than

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

an amount of time

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

having a point

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

a state of extreme poverty

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

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

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

lacking in magnitude or quantity

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

arranged according to size

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

walk heavily

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

undergo or be subjected to

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

possessive form of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

superlative of “sweet” — having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

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

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

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

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

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

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

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

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

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

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

(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 His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

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

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

at the time that

From this reading The last rays of a July sun were extending themselves over the western sky, and that sweetest period of a summer’s day--the cool evening--had just opened, when a horseman made his appearance on the high-road between Exeter and London, in the midland section of Devonshire.

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

From this reading Care and travel, and probably privation, had given a stamp of experience to his features, and an air of reflection to his face, that savoured more of a man of thirty, than one of four or five and twenty years, which was more likely his age.

which person or people

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

in the company of; together with

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading His countenance was almost an oval, and sorted well with his light-brown beard and moustache, which, though they were no way scanty, he wore thin and pointed.

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

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

a late time of life

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet, to judge from his appearance, he was not one of those who would let the cares of life press upon him heavily, or of a constitution that, from any imperfectness or defect, would suffer greatly under the infliction of privation or hardship.

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

From this reading He looked a young man; and his years were not so many even, as one would, at first sight, have inferred from his looks.