Chapter V

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

From this reading --Said in 1611 of the Tales of Tom Thumb.

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

go together

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

matters of personal concern

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

later than; following

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

how long something has existed

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

take a court case to a higher court for review

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

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

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

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

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

a monarchy in northwestern Europe; headquarters for the European Union and for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

a youthful male person

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

the capital and largest city of Belgium; seat of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

showing who or what does the action

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

plural of “cock” — obscene terms for penis

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

providing freedom from worry

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

dwell on with satisfaction

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

half asleep

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

an analytic or interpretive literary composition

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

indulging in or influenced by fancy

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

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

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

an old form of “has”

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

a social unit living together

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

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

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

of great significance or value

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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 FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

engage in

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

the force of workers available

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

used to form the superlative

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

not any; not one

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

and nothing more

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

participate in games or sport

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

to break and turn over earth especially with a plow

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

past form of “remark” — make mention of

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading --Said in 1611 of the Tales of Tom Thumb.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

a clergyman who watches over a group of people

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

in or at or to some place

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

Scottish author (1850-1894)

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

your usual mood

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

a special situation

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

up to a particular time

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading And somewhere else he has remarked on a club of men in Brussels who talked about the commercial affairs of Belgium during the day, but who at night came together to discuss the more serious affairs of life.

capable of being borne or endured

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

male cat

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

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

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

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

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

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

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading IN that comforting essay, "An Apology for Idlers," Robert Louis Stevenson tells us that it is by no means certain that a man's business is the most important thing that he has to do.

plural of “view” — a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

used to ask for information about something

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

which person or people

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

in the company of; together with

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"

found in the ordinary course of events

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere

From this reading These views are in accord with the Stevenson temperament that looked on life as made up of two worlds: a real workaday one to be unflinchingly faced, no matter what the task that came, and a fanciful one, a play world, that by its appeal to the ideal nature created an atmosphere of joy that made the duties of the real one more tolerable.

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

From this reading FAIRY TALES, HOUSEHOLD TALES, AND OTHER FANCIFUL STORIES "In the olde times they were the only revivers of drowsy age at midnight: old and young have with his tales chim'd mattens till the cocks crow in the morning: Batchelors and Maides with his tales have compassed the Christmas fire-block till the Curfew-bell rings, Candle out: the old Shepherd and the young Plow boy after their day's labour have carol'd out a Tale of Tom Thumb to make merry with: and who but little Tom hath made long nights seem short and heavy toyles easie?"