Chapter IV

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

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

a proposal for an appropriate course of action

From this reading To tell the truth the mother's advice had not satisfied him entirely.

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

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

any thing at all

From this reading "How could I ever hide anything from my wife?" he thought as he knocked at the door.

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

From this reading "How could I ever hide anything from my wife?" he thought as he knocked at the door.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "How could I ever hide anything from my wife?" he thought as he knocked at the door.

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

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

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

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

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

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

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

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

make (someone) agree, understand, or realize the truth or validity of something

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

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

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

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

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

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

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

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

From this reading To tell the truth the mother's advice had not satisfied him entirely.

at any time

From this reading "How could I ever hide anything from my wife?" he thought as he knocked at the door.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

Spanish general whose armies took control of Spain in 1939 and who ruled as a dictator until his death (1892-1975)

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "How could I ever hide anything from my wife?" he thought as he knocked at the door.

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

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

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

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

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

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

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

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

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

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading "How could I ever hide anything from my wife?" he thought as he knocked at the door.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

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

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

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

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

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

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

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

From this reading "How could I ever hide anything from my wife?" he thought as he knocked at the door.

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

From this reading "How could I ever hide anything from my wife?" he thought as he knocked at the door.

past form of “impart” — transmit (knowledge or skills)

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

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

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push

From this reading "How could I ever hide anything from my wife?" he thought as he knocked at the door.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

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

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

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

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

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

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

informal terms for a mother

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading To tell the truth the mother's advice had not satisfied him entirely.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "How could I ever hide anything from my wife?" he thought as he knocked at the door.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

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

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

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

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

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

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

past form of “reveal” — make visible

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

filled with satisfaction

From this reading To tell the truth the mother's advice had not satisfied him entirely.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

plural of “sensation” — an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

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

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

having a supporting base

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

fastener consisting of a narrow strip of welded metal used to join steel members

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

express in words

From this reading To tell the truth the mother's advice had not satisfied him entirely.

possessive form of “teresa” — Indian nun and missionary in the Roman Catholic Church (born of Albanian parents in what is now Macedonia); dedicated to helping the poor in India (1910-1997)

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

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

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

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

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

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

From this reading "How could I ever hide anything from my wife?" he thought as he knocked at the door.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

very small

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

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

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading To tell the truth the mother's advice had not satisfied him entirely.

up to a particular time

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

precisely as stated

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

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

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

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

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading "How could I ever hide anything from my wife?" he thought as he knocked at the door.

in the company of; together with

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

the words that are spoken

From this reading Not until he had reached the Contrada dei Mal'ari in Casarico, and was standing before the little door of Gilardoni's tiny house, did he recall Mamma Teresa's dark words concerning the secret Gilardoni had imparted to her, and he wondered what this mystery could be, which must not be revealed to Luisa.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading CARLIN'S LETTER Franco went down the hill very, very slowly, absorbed in the world of things within him, so crowded with thoughts and with new sensations.

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

From this reading Stopping every now and then to contemplate the grey road and the small dark fields, he would touch the leaves of a grape-vine or the stones of a low wall, in order to feel the reality of the external world, to convince himself that he was not dreaming.