Chapter II · Secrets of Success

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

gotten through environmental forces

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

any specific behavior

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

equally

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

(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 contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

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

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

for the reason that

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

brought into existence

From this reading _Prairie Born._ A month’s experience in the general store business brought much new light to Burton.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading _Prairie Born._ A month’s experience in the general store business brought much new light to Burton.

treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

English explorer who with John Speke was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika (1821-1890)

From this reading _Prairie Born._ A month’s experience in the general store business brought much new light to Burton.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading _Prairie Born._ A month’s experience in the general store business brought much new light to Burton.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

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

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

stopped up; clogged up

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

plural of “chore” — a specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or for a specific fee

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

clothing in general

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

a covering designed to be worn on a person's body

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

things that make you comfortable and at ease

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

-ing form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

plural of “comparison” — the act of examining resemblances

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

continuing in time or space without interruption

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

past form of “contrast” — put in opposition to show or emphasize differences

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

slightly wet

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

the act of making up your mind about something

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

wanted intensely

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

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

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

remove the dust from

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

being one more than seven

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

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

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

extreme fatigue

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading _Prairie Born._ A month’s experience in the general store business brought much new light to Burton.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

opinion or judgment

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

an agenda of things to do

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

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

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

a person who lacks good judgment

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

set up or found

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

plural of “frost” — ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

yet to be or coming

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading _Prairie Born._ A month’s experience in the general store business brought much new light to Burton.

possessive form of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

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

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

a body of students who are taught together

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

highest in quality

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

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

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

the yield from plants in a single growing season

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

where you live at a particular time

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

past form of “honour” — bestow honor or rewards upon

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

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

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

disregarded

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

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

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

past form of “influence” — have and exert influence or effect

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

characterized by jokes and good humor

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

and nothing more

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

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

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

filled with a great quantity

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

light from a lamp

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

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 “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading _Prairie Born._ A month’s experience in the general store business brought much new light to Burton.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

plural of “lung” — either of two saclike respiratory organs in the chest of vertebrates; serves to remove carbon dioxide and provide oxygen to the blood

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

the force of workers available

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

very unhappy; full of misery

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

possessive form of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading _Prairie Born._ A month’s experience in the general store business brought much new light to Burton.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading _Prairie Born._ A month’s experience in the general store business brought much new light to Burton.

an atmosphere in which visibility is reduced because of a cloud of some substance

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading _Prairie Born._ A month’s experience in the general store business brought much new light to Burton.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

not any; not one

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

superlative of “noble” — impressive in appearance

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

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

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

many times at short intervals

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

in a cheerful manner

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

a group of seven bright stars in the constellation Ursa Major

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

a treeless grassy plain

From this reading _Prairie Born._ A month’s experience in the general store business brought much new light to Burton.

in the right manner; correctly; suitably

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

inflected form of “quit” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

made for purchase and immediate use

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

imparting vitality and energy

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

precisely, exactly

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

severely critical

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

try to get or reach

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

plural of “sin” — estrangement from god

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

plural of “soul” — the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading _Prairie Born._ A month’s experience in the general store business brought much new light to Burton.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

plural of “sun” — the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

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

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

work hard

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

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

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

plural of “vagary” — an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.)

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

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

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

accept gladly

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

(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 imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

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

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

at the time that

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

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

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

during the time that

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.

which person or people

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading He had contrasted a business career with life on the farm: Up at five; breakfast by lamplight; cows and horses to care for in evil-smelling stables; innumerable chores before the day’s work was properly begun; then the long, heavy labour, in crackling frosts, in suns that burned the flesh like a searing iron, in miserable, damp, murkiness; in dust laden winds that filled the eyes and choked the lungs, in all the numberless vagaries of climate; the coarse clothing demanded by such a vocation; the plain fare and simple home comforts; and then, tired to the point of exhaustion, bed, which was alike the end of one day’s labours and the starting point of another round of continuous toil, irksome and often ill-requited.

plural of “win” — a victory (as in a race or other competition)

From this reading “I envy no man what he fairly wins; In life’s hard battle each must fight his fight; But some, methinks, are honoured for their sins, And some ignored because they do the right; Some seem to find their fortune ready-made, And others miss it, howsoe’er desired— The man’s a fool who thinks that he can grade Society by what it has acquired: The noblest souls are often least renowned; In humble homes God’s greatest men are found.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

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

From this reading He had imagined that a man who stood behind the counter, wearing good clothes, talking pleasantly to ladies and joking with men, commencing work at eight in the morning and quitting, well, he didn’t just know when—such a man surely was a favoured individual.

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

From this reading Such comparisons had, to some extent, influenced his decision to seek his future in a life of commercial activity; and, while he had not admitted any regret, there now were nights when he felt that a good day’s labour in the harvest field or on the plough would be a welcome and refreshing diversion.