Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

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

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

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

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

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

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

American theologian whose sermons and writings stimulated a period of renewed interest in religion in America (1703-1758)

From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.

past form of “enlist” — join the military

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

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

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

any federal law-enforcement officer

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

record in a public office or in a court of law

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

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

From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.

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

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

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

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

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

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

not in action or at work

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

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

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

(Roman Catholic Church) one of the great Fathers of the early Christian Church whose major work was his translation of the Scriptures from Hebrew and Greek into Latin (which became the Vulgate); a saint and Doctor of the Church (347-420)

From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.

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

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

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

From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

march in a procession

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

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

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

not any; not one

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

and nothing more

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

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

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

participate in games or sport

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

The protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power. (Sự quan phòng, thiên ý phù hộ.)

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

any competition

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

in a skimpy manner

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

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

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

cut with shears

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

past form of “skirt” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

offering safety; well protected or concealed

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

plural of “sweet” — English phonetician; one of the founders of modern phonetics (1845-1912)

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

carry out

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

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

From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

in or at that place or location

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

to that

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

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

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

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

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

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

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

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

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

precisely as stated

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading Now the warfare of life had fairly begun for little Jerome Edwards.

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

From this reading Now he was in the rank and file, enlisted thereto by a stern Providence, and must lose his life for the sake of living, like the rest.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

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

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

in or at the place that

From this reading No more idle hours in the snug hollow of the rock, where he seemed to pause like a bee on the sweets of existence itself that he might taste them fully, were there for Jerome.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

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

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

but in spite of that

From this reading Up to this time, although in sorry plight enough as far as material needs went--scantily clad, scantily fed, and worked hard--he had as yet only followed at an easy pace, or skirted with merry play the march of the toilers of the world.

suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh

From this reading Very few chances he had for outspeeding his comrades in any but the stern and sober race of life, for this little Mercury had to shear the wings from his heels of youthful sport and take to the gait of labor.