Chapter XL · The Worn Path

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

From this reading Few are the women who have known a longer or a happier life with the man of their heart than I had with Laurence.

in addition

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

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

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

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

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

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

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

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

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

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

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

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

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

terminate

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness

From this reading Yet why should I complain?

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

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

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

From this reading Few are the women who have known a longer or a happier life with the man of their heart than I had with Laurence.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

a young female

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

destroyed or killed

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

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

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

comparative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading Few are the women who have known a longer or a happier life with the man of their heart than I had with Laurence.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

plural of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

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

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

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

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Few are the women who have known a longer or a happier life with the man of their heart than I had with Laurence.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

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

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Few are the women who have known a longer or a happier life with the man of their heart than I had with Laurence.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

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

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

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 Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

for more time

From this reading Few are the women who have known a longer or a happier life with the man of their heart than I had with Laurence.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

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

From this reading Few are the women who have known a longer or a happier life with the man of their heart than I had with Laurence.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

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

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

not any; not one

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

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

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

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

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

and nothing more

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Few are the women who have known a longer or a happier life with the man of their heart than I had with Laurence.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

feel happiness or joy

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

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

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Yet why should I complain?

hurting

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

express in words

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Few are the women who have known a longer or a happier life with the man of their heart than I had with Laurence.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

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

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

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

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

exhausted

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

which person or people

From this reading Few are the women who have known a longer or a happier life with the man of their heart than I had with Laurence.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Yet why should I complain?

in the company of; together with

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Few are the women who have known a longer or a happier life with the man of their heart than I had with Laurence.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Late have I sat, and long; early have I risen, and oft, through the stars of midnight, I have seen the daylight break upon the world as I sat at my task.

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

From this reading And now that it is done, though I had thought that I would rejoice, my heart is no little sore; for the days are long without Laurence, and the bairns also gone forth from me, though only to homes of their own, houses, and husbands, and children.

the act of creating written works

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

but in spite of that

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.

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

From this reading I am an old woman, and wearied with much writing; yet, like any young girl, I have my dreams of love, and may be permitted to tell them.