Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

later than; following

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

anew

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

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

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

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

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

at or in or to any place

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

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

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

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

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading This day, too, the first of November, had been exhausting.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

the work of taking something away in a cart or truck and disposing of it

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

the first light of day

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

lower than previously

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

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

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

having abnormal sagging of the spine (especially in horses)

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

depriving of confidence or hope or enthusiasm and hence often deterring action

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

past form of “ebb” — flow back or recede

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

having a debilitating effect

From this reading This day, too, the first of November, had been exhausting.

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

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading This day, too, the first of November, had been exhausting.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

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

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

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

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

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

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

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

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

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

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

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

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

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

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

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

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

immediately past

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

darkened with overcast

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

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

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

the lower part of the abdomen just above the external genital organs

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

for more time

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

any animal or plant material used to fertilize land especially animal excreta usually with litter material

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

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

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

not any; not one

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading This day, too, the first of November, had been exhausting.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

above and across; more than

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

hard monotonous routine work

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

in the near future

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

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

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

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

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

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

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

without speaking

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

to, toward, or in the southwest

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

the season of growth

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

the physical property of being inflexible and hard to bend

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

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

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

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

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This day, too, the first of November, had been exhausting.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

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

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading This day, too, the first of November, had been exhausting.

in the direction of

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

past form of “trudge” — walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

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

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

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

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

possessive form of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.

in the company of; together with

From this reading (I) An enormous physical weariness settled down on Frank, as he trudged silently with the Major, towards evening, a week later.

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

From this reading It is true that Frank was no longer intensely depressed; quite another process had been at work upon him for the last two or three months, as will be seen presently; but his limbs seemed leaden, and the actual stiffness in his shoulders and loins made walking a little difficult.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading He had worked all the previous day in a farm-yard--carting manure, and the like; and though he was perfectly well again, some of the spring had ebbed from his muscles during his week's rest.

of very poor quality or condition

From this reading They had walked since daybreak, after a wretched night in a barn, plodding almost in silence, mile after mile, against a wet south-west wind, over a discouraging kind of high-road that dipped and rose and dipped again, and never seemed to arrive anywhere.