Chapter XXXIII · Chapter 33

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

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

later than; following

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

anew

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

(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 Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

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

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

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

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

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

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

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

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

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

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading And how Captain Tom had now become well again.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

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

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

a youthful male person

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

fern of southeastern Asia; not hardy in cold temperate regions

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

past form of “care” — feel concern or interest

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

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

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

divisible by two

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

plural of “exhortation” — a communication intended to urge or persuade the recipients to take some action

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

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

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

United States historian noted for studies of Black American history (born in 1915)

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

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

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

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

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

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

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

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

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

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

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

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

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

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

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

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

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

a small worthless amount

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

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

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

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

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

any amazing or wonderful occurrence

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

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

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

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

From this reading And how Captain Tom had now become well again.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

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

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

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

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

and nothing more

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

free from harm or evil

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

filled with satisfaction

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

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

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

a male human offspring

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

required or under orders

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

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

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

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

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

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

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

male cat

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

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

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

suggesting the operation of supernatural influences

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

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

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

(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 And how Captain Tom had now become well again.

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

From this reading HIMSELF AGAIN Never had the two old servants been so happy as they were that night after their rescue.

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

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

during the time that

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But after they had heard them talk in the old natural way and seen Captain Tom walking in the living flesh, they became satisfied that it was indeed their young master whom they had supposed to be dead.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

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

From this reading Jack Bracken, with all the tenderness of one speaking to little children, explained it all to them--how he had himself carried Captain Tom off the battle-field of Franklin; how he had cared for him since--even to the present time; how Ephraim would not desert his young master, but had stayed with them, as cook and house boy.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading At first they looked on it as a miracle, in which the spirits of their young master and his body-servant, their only son, had come back to earth to rescue them, and for a while their prayers and exhortations took on the uncanny tone of superstition.