Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The dog Crusoe was once a pup.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

extremely painful

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

(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 If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

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

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

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

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

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

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

a remote and undeveloped area

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

(of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

without respect; in a disdainful manner

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

exhibiting courtesy and politeness

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

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

From this reading The dog Crusoe was once a pup.

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

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading The dog Crusoe was once a pup.

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

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

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

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

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

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

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

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

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

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

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

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

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

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

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

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

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

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

impressiveness in scale or proportion

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

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

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

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

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

many times at short intervals

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

on one occasion

From this reading The dog Crusoe was once a pup.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

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

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

an effortful attempt to attain a goal

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

the state of being a parent

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

young of any of various canines such as a dog or wolf

From this reading The dog Crusoe was once a pup.

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

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

to say, state, or perform again

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

express in words

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

only a very short time before

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

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

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

used of hair; thick and poorly groomed

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

plural of “sorrow” — an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread about

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

characterized by short periods of noisy commotion

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

having or making a high-pitched sound such as that made by a mouse or a rusty hinge

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

obtained from suet and used in making soap, candles and lubricants

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

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

From this reading _The backwoods settlement--Crusoe's parentage, and early history--The agonizing pains and sorrows of his puppyhood, and other interesting matters_.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

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

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

throw or toss with a light motion

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

not clearly expressed or understood

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

precisely as stated

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

the human face (“kisser” and “smiler” and “mug” are informal terms for “face” and “phiz” is British)

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

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

From this reading The dog Crusoe was once a pup.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

(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 You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

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

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

in the company of; together with

From this reading You know very well that you have often seen a man above six feet high, broad and powerful as a lion, with a bronzed shaggy visage and the stern glance of an eagle, of whom you have said, or thought, or heard others say, "It is scarcely possible to believe that such a man was once a squalling baby."

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

From this reading If you had seen our hero in all the strength and majesty of full-grown doghood, you would have experienced a vague sort of surprise had we told you--as we now repeat--that the dog Crusoe was once a pup--a soft, round, sprawling, squeaking pup, as fat as a tallow candle, and as blind as a bat.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Now do not, courteous reader, toss your head contemptuously, and exclaim, "Of course he was; I could have told _you_ that."