Chapter XVII · Sam Heads a Fishing Party

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

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

-ing form of “admire” — feel admiration for

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

in addition

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

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

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

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

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

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

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

plural of “crowd” — a large number of things or people considered together

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune

From this reading Sam had been planning an expedition of exploration and discovery, and the disaster to the Saracen quickened his purpose.

the act of discovering something

From this reading Sam had been planning an expedition of exploration and discovery, and the disaster to the Saracen quickened his purpose.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

at any time

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country

From this reading Sam had been planning an expedition of exploration and discovery, and the disaster to the Saracen quickened his purpose.

to travel for the purpose of discovery

From this reading Sam had been planning an expedition of exploration and discovery, and the disaster to the Saracen quickened his purpose.

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

possessive form of “freeman” — a person who is not a serf or a slave

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

in a gay manner

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

a state of high honor

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

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

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

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

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Poke took the wreck very much to heart.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

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

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

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

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

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

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

an indirect suggestion

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

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

From this reading Sam had been planning an expedition of exploration and discovery, and the disaster to the Saracen quickened his purpose.

the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

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

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

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

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

a message received and understood

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

the quality of being just or fair

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

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

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

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

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

engage in

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

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

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

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

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

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

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

and nothing more

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

seen in the mind as a mental image

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

an act of formulating a program for a definite course of action

From this reading Sam had been planning an expedition of exploration and discovery, and the disaster to the Saracen quickened his purpose.

poke or thrust abruptly

From this reading Poke took the wreck very much to heart.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Sam had been planning an expedition of exploration and discovery, and the disaster to the Saracen quickened his purpose.

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

perplexed (as if being expected to know something that you do not know)

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

past form of “quicken” — move faster

From this reading Sam had been planning an expedition of exploration and discovery, and the disaster to the Saracen quickened his purpose.

past form of “recite” — recite in elocution

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

recurring again and again

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

plural of “return” — document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

the work of a sailor

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

(historically) a member of the nomadic people of the Syrian and Arabian deserts at the time of the Roman Empire

From this reading Sam had been planning an expedition of exploration and discovery, and the disaster to the Saracen quickened his purpose.

marked by practical hardheaded intelligence

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

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

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

a special situation

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

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

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Poke took the wreck very much to heart.

flesh of any of several primarily freshwater game and food fishes

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

up to a particular time

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In imagination he had pictured himself sailing gaily above the heads of admiring crowds; but, to do him justice, he had counted more upon the money returns of his enterprise than upon the attendant glory.

precisely as stated

From this reading Poke took the wreck very much to heart.

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

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

the general location where something is

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

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

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

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

From this reading Ever since Lon had recited the tale of Old Man Freeman’s William Trout he had been much importuned by the boys for information about the stream in which the big fish lived and grew mighty.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading He had chosen to make a great mystery of the matter, but under repeated questioning had dropped a hint here and spoken an inadvertent word there, until Sam, putting one thing with another, was able not only to form an opinion of the direction in which the brook lay, but also to make a shrewd guess at the whereabouts of the hermit’s cabin, or what might be left of it.

something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation

From this reading Poke took the wreck very much to heart.