Chapter III

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

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the United States an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

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

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

any thing at all

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

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

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

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

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

have

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

a long seat for more than one person

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

next to; at the side of

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

the lower side of anything

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading His hair was lank and plentifully sprinkled with grey: he wore it tied at the nape of the neck with a silk bow which certainly did not harmonise with the rest of his clothing.

a former province of northwestern France on a peninsula between the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

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

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading His hair was lank and plentifully sprinkled with grey: he wore it tied at the nape of the neck with a silk bow which certainly did not harmonise with the rest of his clothing.

a covering designed to be worn on a person's body

From this reading His hair was lank and plentifully sprinkled with grey: he wore it tied at the nape of the neck with a silk bow which certainly did not harmonise with the rest of his clothing.

in coarse pieces

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

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

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

have the idea for

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

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

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

move gently or carefully

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

at any time

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

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

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

make full, also in a metaphorical sense

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

possessive form of “fisherman” — someone whose occupation is catching fish

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

plural of “garment” — an article of clothing

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading His hair was lank and plentifully sprinkled with grey: he wore it tied at the nape of the neck with a silk bow which certainly did not harmonise with the rest of his clothing.

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

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading His hair was lank and plentifully sprinkled with grey: he wore it tied at the nape of the neck with a silk bow which certainly did not harmonise with the rest of his clothing.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

go together

From this reading His hair was lank and plentifully sprinkled with grey: he wore it tied at the nape of the neck with a silk bow which certainly did not harmonise with the rest of his clothing.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

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

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

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

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

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

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

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

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

crowded or massed together

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

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

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

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

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

long and thin and often limp

From this reading His hair was lank and plentifully sprinkled with grey: he wore it tied at the nape of the neck with a silk bow which certainly did not harmonise with the rest of his clothing.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

staying power

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

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

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

equally distant from the extremes

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

the back side of the neck

From this reading His hair was lank and plentifully sprinkled with grey: he wore it tied at the nape of the neck with a silk bow which certainly did not harmonise with the rest of his clothing.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading His hair was lank and plentifully sprinkled with grey: he wore it tied at the nape of the neck with a silk bow which certainly did not harmonise with the rest of his clothing.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

the class of peasants

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

in a bountiful manner

From this reading His hair was lank and plentifully sprinkled with grey: he wore it tied at the nape of the neck with a silk bow which certainly did not harmonise with the rest of his clothing.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading His hair was lank and plentifully sprinkled with grey: he wore it tied at the nape of the neck with a silk bow which certainly did not harmonise with the rest of his clothing.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

possessive form of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

only a very short time before

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

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

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading His hair was lank and plentifully sprinkled with grey: he wore it tied at the nape of the neck with a silk bow which certainly did not harmonise with the rest of his clothing.

inflected form of “sip” — drink in sips

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

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

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

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

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

refrain from harming

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

past form of “sprinkle” — distribute loosely

From this reading His hair was lank and plentifully sprinkled with grey: he wore it tied at the nape of the neck with a silk bow which certainly did not harmonise with the rest of his clothing.

tending to suggest or imply

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

large drinking vessel with one handle

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

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

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

plural of “thigh” — the part of the leg between the hip and the knee

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

bound or secured closely

From this reading His hair was lank and plentifully sprinkled with grey: he wore it tied at the nape of the neck with a silk bow which certainly did not harmonise with the rest of his clothing.

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

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.

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

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

precisely as stated

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

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

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

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

From this reading THE BOTTOM INN I A man was sitting, huddled up in the ingle-nook of the small coffee-room, sipping hot ale from a tankard which he had in his hand.

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

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was small and spare, with thin delicate face and slender hands: though dressed in very rough garments, he was obviously ill at ease in them; his narrow shoulders scarcely appeared able to bear the weight of the coarsely made coat, and his thin legs did not begin to fill the big fisherman's boots which reached midway up his lean thighs.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading His hair was lank and plentifully sprinkled with grey: he wore it tied at the nape of the neck with a silk bow which certainly did not harmonise with the rest of his clothing.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading A wide-brimmed felt hat something the shape of a sailor's, but with higher crown--of the shape worn by the peasantry in Brittany--lay on the bench beside him.

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

From this reading Anything less suggestive of a rough sea-faring life than his appearance it would be difficult to conceive; and how he came by the appellation "the Captain" must for ever remain a mystery.