Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

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

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

any thing at all

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

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

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

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

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

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

From this reading BEARDSLEY BETRAYS HIMSELF.

plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

a young woman who is the most charming and beautiful of several rivals

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

third-person singular of “betray” — reveal unintentionally

From this reading BEARDSLEY BETRAYS HIMSELF.

a youthful male person

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

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

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

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

From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.

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

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

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

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

pull, as against a resistance

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

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

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

at any time

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

apart from; not including

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

creating or arousing excitement

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

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

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

possessive form of “gray” — a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

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

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

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

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

superlative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

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

From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.

to a considerable degree

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

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

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

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

From this reading BEARDSLEY BETRAYS HIMSELF.

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

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

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

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

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

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

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

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

in a literal sense

From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.

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

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

sit or recline comfortably

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

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

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

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

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

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

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

on one occasion

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

and nothing more

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

an amount of time

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

plural of “planter” — the owner or manager of a plantation

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

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

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

the work of a sailor

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

avoid (one's assigned duties)

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

in the near future

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.

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

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.

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

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

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

From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

precisely as stated

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

the activity of making visits

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.

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

From this reading There was literally nothing he could do--at least that he _wanted_ to do.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

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

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He did not care to read anything except the newspapers, and they came only once a day; he had never learned how to lounge around and let the hours drag themselves away; he very soon grew weary of sailing about the sound in the _Fairy Belle_ with the boy Julius for a companion; and so he spent a little of his time in visiting among the neighboring planters, and a good deal more in "pottering" among his mother's flower beds.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Visiting was the hardest work he had ever done; but he knew he couldn't shirk it without exciting talk, and there was talk enough about him in the settlement already.

produce a literary work

From this reading Never before had the hours hung as heavily upon Marcy Gray's hands as they did at the period of which we write.