Chapter X

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

later than; following

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

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

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

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

From this reading "I d'no as 'twould be best," he said to himself.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

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

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading "I d'no as 'twould be best," he said to himself.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

plural of “butter” — an edible emulsion of fat globules made by churning milk or cream; for cooking and table use

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

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

From this reading "I d'no as 'twould be best," he said to himself.

a process of becoming deeper and more profound

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

plural of “discourse” — extended verbal expression in speech or writing

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

opinion or judgment

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

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

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

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

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

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

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

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

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

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

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

full of or characterized by humor

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

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

From this reading "I d'no as 'twould be best," he said to himself.

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

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

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

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

past form of “jerk” — pull, or move with a sudden movement

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

the act of departing

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

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

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

in a relaxed manner; not rigid

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

used to form the superlative

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

a form of address for a man

From this reading MR.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

not any; not one

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

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

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

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

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

on one occasion

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

forward in time or order or degree

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

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

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

plural of “rein” — one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I d'no as 'twould be best," he said to himself.

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

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

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

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

in an aggressive manner

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

ready to fall asleep

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

carry out

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

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

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

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

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

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

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

in the direction of

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

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

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

two times

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

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

From this reading "I d'no as 'twould be best," he said to himself.

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

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

(Roman mythology) goddess of the hearth and its fire whose flame was tended by vestal virgins; counterpart of Greek Hestia

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading BUTTERS DISCOURSES After leaving Mrs. Tree's house, Mr. Ithuriel Butters drove slowly along the village street toward the post-office.

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

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He jerked the reins loosely once or twice, but for the most part let the horses take their own way; he seemed absorbed in thought, and now and then he shook his head and muttered to himself, his bright blue eyes twinkling, the humorous lines of his strong old face deepening into smiling furrows.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Passing the Temple of Vesta, he looked up sharply at the windows, seemed half inclined to check his horses; but no one was to be seen, and he let them take their sleepy way onward.