Chapter I · The Inmates of the Farm-House

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

From this reading The tree was a sapling then, and himself a mere boy.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.

in the past

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

(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 The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

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

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

with anxiety or apprehension

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

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

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

a youthful male person

From this reading The tree was a sapling then, and himself a mere boy.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

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

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.

determine the number or amount of

From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

a Protestant layman who assists the minister

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

the sill of a door; a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway and offers support when passing through a doorway

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

weakening in force or intensity

From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.

favorite

From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

yet to be or coming

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

a young female

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

a flash of light (especially reflected light)

From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.

having or deserving or conferring glory

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

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

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

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

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

plural of “headstone” — the central building block at the top of an arch or vault

From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

the side or slope of a hill

From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.

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

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The tree was a sapling then, and himself a mere boy.

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

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

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

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

plural of “indication” — something that serves to indicate or suggest

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

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

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

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

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

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 Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

United States actor (1914-1998)

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading The tree was a sapling then, and himself a mere boy.

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

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

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

(used especially of ideas or principles) deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

young tree

From this reading The tree was a sapling then, and himself a mere boy.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

only a very short time before

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

past form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

quiet, dark, or concealed

From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

possessive form of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

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

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

the rays of the sun

From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.

the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

possessing sweep

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

express in words

From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

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

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The tree was a sapling then, and himself a mere boy.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

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

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

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

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

branch out in a twiglike manner

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

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

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

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

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

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

From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.

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 Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

at the time that

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

in or at the place that

From this reading He could count them all from where he sat,—could tell which was his mother’s, which his father’s, and which his fair-haired sister’s.

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

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.

during the time that

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

a Caucasian

From this reading Across the fields and on a shady hillside, there were white headstones gleaming in the fading sunlight.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading The sapling now was a mighty tree, and its huge branches swept the gable roof of the time-worn building, while the boy was a gray-haired man, sitting there in the glorious sunset of that bright October day, and thinking of all which had come to him since the morning long ago, when, from the woods near by, he brought the little twig, and with his mother’s help secured it in its place, watching anxiously for the first indications of its future growth.

a late time of life

From this reading Old Deacon Marshall sat smoking beneath the maple tree which he had planted many years before, when he was scarcely older than the little girl sitting on the broad doorstep and watching the sun as it went down behind the western hills.