Chapter XI

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

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

having companions or an escort

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

how long something has existed

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

(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 This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

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

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

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

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

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

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

a formal public statement

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

any person at all

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

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

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

tried unsuccessfully

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading His whole body seemed weighed down with iron.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

plural of “contortion” — the act of twisting or deforming the shape of something (e.g., yourself)

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

power to direct or determine

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

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

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

increase twofold

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading His whole body seemed weighed down with iron.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

at any time

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

apart from; not including

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

with resolute determination

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

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

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

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

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

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

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

to a considerable degree

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

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

From this reading OLD JORDAN SHOWS HIMSELF.

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

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

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

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

defying expression or description

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

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 His whole body seemed weighed down with iron.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

a river in Palestine that empties into the Dead Sea; John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan

From this reading OLD JORDAN SHOWS HIMSELF.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

not any; not one

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

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

From this reading OLD JORDAN SHOWS HIMSELF.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

above and across; more than

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

(used especially of ideas or principles) deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

a full supply

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

a person suffering with rheumatism

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

an artist's brush made of sable hairs

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

cut with a saw

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

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

From this reading His whole body seemed weighed down with iron.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining

From this reading OLD JORDAN SHOWS HIMSELF.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

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

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

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

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

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

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

deprived of courage and strength

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

in a vicious manner

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

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

From this reading He leaned heavily upon a staff--which, however, he planted firmly, almost viciously on the ground with every step, as if there was plenty of strength left in his old arm--and walked in that indescribable manner which no one ever saw attempted by anybody except a plantation negro.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

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

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

past form of “weigh” — have a certain weight

From this reading His whole body seemed weighed down with iron.

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

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

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

From this reading He did, however, manage to turn his head and look in the direction in which his sable companions were gazing, and sure enough, there he was--an old, rheumatic negro, bent half double with age, and dressed in that peculiar costume so common among field negroes before the war.

which person or people

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading His whole body seemed weighed down with iron.

in the company of; together with

From this reading His whole body seemed weighed down with iron.

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

From this reading This startling announcement was accompanied by such strange contortions on the part of the negro who made it, that Dan was completely unnerved, and would have taken to his heels in short order, had he not suddenly lost all control over himself.