Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

later than; following

From this reading Alcott moved thither after the breaking up of his school.

United States novelist noted for children's books (1832-1888)

From this reading Alcott moved thither after the breaking up of his school.

in addition

From this reading Hawthorne also came to dwell there.

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

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Emerson helped introduce his countrymen to the teachings of Carlyle, and edited his works here, where they found more readers than at home.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

the act of breaking something

From this reading Alcott moved thither after the breaking up of his school.

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

From this reading Hawthorne also came to dwell there.

Scottish historian who wrote about the French Revolution (1795-1881)

From this reading Emerson helped introduce his countrymen to the teachings of Carlyle, and edited his works here, where they found more readers than at home.

a person who is in charge

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

capital of the state of New Hampshire; located in south central New Hampshire on the Merrimack river

From this reading Many of these friends were frequent visitors in Concord.

plural of “countryman” — a man from your own country

From this reading Emerson helped introduce his countrymen to the teachings of Carlyle, and edited his works here, where they found more readers than at home.

think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading Hawthorne also came to dwell there.

improved or corrected by critical editing

From this reading Emerson helped introduce his countrymen to the teachings of Carlyle, and edited his works here, where they found more readers than at home.

United States writer and leading exponent of transcendentalism (1803-1882)

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

set up or found

From this reading Emerson helped introduce his countrymen to the teachings of Carlyle, and edited his works here, where they found more readers than at home.

do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of

From this reading Many of these friends were frequent visitors in Concord.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Many of these friends were frequent visitors in Concord.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

in a gradual manner

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

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

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

United States writer of novels and short stories mostly on moral themes (1804-1864)

From this reading Hawthorne also came to dwell there.

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

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Emerson helped introduce his countrymen to the teachings of Carlyle, and edited his works here, where they found more readers than at home.

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

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

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

From this reading Alcott moved thither after the breaking up of his school.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

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

From this reading Many of these friends were frequent visitors in Concord.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

past form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

cause to come to know personally

From this reading Emerson helped introduce his countrymen to the teachings of Carlyle, and edited his works here, where they found more readers than at home.

plural of “labor” — a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

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

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

held dear

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Many of these friends were frequent visitors in Concord.

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

From this reading Emerson helped introduce his countrymen to the teachings of Carlyle, and edited his works here, where they found more readers than at home.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Alcott moved thither after the breaking up of his school.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Many of these friends were frequent visitors in Concord.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading

From this reading Emerson helped introduce his countrymen to the teachings of Carlyle, and edited his works here, where they found more readers than at home.

an educational institution

From this reading Alcott moved thither after the breaking up of his school.

plural of “teaching” — the profession of a teacher

From this reading Emerson helped introduce his countrymen to the teachings of Carlyle, and edited his works here, where they found more readers than at home.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Emerson helped introduce his countrymen to the teachings of Carlyle, and edited his works here, where they found more readers than at home.

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

From this reading Alcott moved thither after the breaking up of his school.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Hawthorne also came to dwell there.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Many of these friends were frequent visitors in Concord.

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

From this reading Emerson helped introduce his countrymen to the teachings of Carlyle, and edited his works here, where they found more readers than at home.

an old word meaning “to that place”

From this reading Alcott moved thither after the breaking up of his school.

United States writer and social critic (1817-1862)

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

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

From this reading Hawthorne also came to dwell there.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

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

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

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

From this reading Alcott moved thither after the breaking up of his school.

(usually used in combination) having value of a specified kind

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

plural of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading Many of these friends were frequent visitors in Concord.

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

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

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

From this reading Many of these friends were frequent visitors in Concord.

in or at the place that

From this reading Emerson helped introduce his countrymen to the teachings of Carlyle, and edited his works here, where they found more readers than at home.

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

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading Emerson helped introduce his countrymen to the teachings of Carlyle, and edited his works here, where they found more readers than at home.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading Henry Thoreau, a Concord youth, greatly interested Emerson; indeed, became for a year or two a valued inmate of his home, and helped and instructed him in the labors of the garden and little farm, which gradually grew to ten acres, the chief interest of which for the owner was his trees, which he loved and tended.