Chapter VIII

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

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

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

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

relating to or used in or promoting agriculture or farming

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

a large-scale farming enterprise

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

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

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

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

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

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

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

the power or right to give orders or make decisions

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

plural of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Of all young authors, he seems to have been the man most to be envied.

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

From this reading Of all young authors, he seems to have been the man most to be envied.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Of all young authors, he seems to have been the man most to be envied.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading IN FULL CAREER.

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

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

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

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

plural of “development” — act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

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

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

inflected form of “envy” — feel envious towards; admire enviously

From this reading Of all young authors, he seems to have been the man most to be envied.

the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading IN FULL CAREER.

yet to be or coming

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

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

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

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

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

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

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

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

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

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

From this reading IN FULL CAREER.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

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

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

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

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

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

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

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

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

used to form the superlative

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

and nothing more

From this reading And he was as yet only twenty-eight.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

an authoritative person who divines the future

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

express in words

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Of all young authors, he seems to have been the man most to be envied.

plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

plural of “suggestion” — an idea that is suggested

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

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

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

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

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-seven and one

From this reading And he was as yet only twenty-eight.

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

From this reading And he was as yet only twenty-eight.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

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

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

which person or people

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

have and exercise

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading He had made himself, to begin with, an authority on the most interesting of all subjects; he knew more about farming--that is to say, farming in his own part of the country--than any other man who could wield a pen; he had written papers full of the most brilliant suggestions, as well as knowledge, as to the future of agriculture and its possible developments; he had written things which made people ask if there had truly arisen an agricultural prophet in the land.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Never, certainly, did any man have a better chance of success in literature than Jefferies about the year 1876.

but in spite of that

From this reading And he was as yet only twenty-eight.

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

From this reading Of all young authors, he seems to have been the man most to be envied.