Chapter XIX · William Whitman

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

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

affirming or giving assent

From this reading James replied in the affirmative, as he clasped the offered hand of the stranger, and returned his hearty grasp.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “I am William Whitman, and I knew old Frank the instant I set eyes on him.

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

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

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

From this reading How are you, old playmate?” patting Frank’s neck.

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

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

-ing form of “border” — extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

showing who or what does the action

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly

From this reading James replied in the affirmative, as he clasped the offered hand of the stranger, and returned his hearty grasp.

past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

at any time

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

opinion or judgment

From this reading “I am William Whitman, and I knew old Frank the instant I set eyes on him.

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

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading “I am William Whitman, and I knew old Frank the instant I set eyes on him.

possessive form of “frank” — a member of the ancient Germanic peoples who spread from the Rhine into the Roman Empire in the 4th century

From this reading How are you, old playmate?” patting Frank’s neck.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

hold firmly

From this reading James replied in the affirmative, as he clasped the offered hand of the stranger, and returned his hearty grasp.

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

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

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

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

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

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

showing warm and heartfelt friendliness

From this reading James replied in the affirmative, as he clasped the offered hand of the stranger, and returned his hearty grasp.

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

From this reading “I am William Whitman, and I knew old Frank the instant I set eyes on him.

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

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

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

From this reading How are you, old playmate?” patting Frank’s neck.

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

From this reading “I am William Whitman, and I knew old Frank the instant I set eyes on him.

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

From this reading James replied in the affirmative, as he clasped the offered hand of the stranger, and returned his hearty grasp.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading “I am William Whitman, and I knew old Frank the instant I set eyes on him.

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

From this reading “Is this James Renfew?”

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

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 “I am William Whitman, and I knew old Frank the instant I set eyes on him.

in an unhurried way or at one's convenience

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

enter into a log, as on ships and planes

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

the force of workers available

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading How are you, old playmate?” patting Frank’s neck.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading James replied in the affirmative, as he clasped the offered hand of the stranger, and returned his hearty grasp.

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

From this reading “I am William Whitman, and I knew old Frank the instant I set eyes on him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

inflected form of “pat” — pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin

From this reading How are you, old playmate?” patting Frank’s neck.

a companion at play

From this reading How are you, old playmate?” patting Frank’s neck.

(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

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

From this reading “Is this James Renfew?”

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading James replied in the affirmative, as he clasped the offered hand of the stranger, and returned his hearty grasp.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading James replied in the affirmative, as he clasped the offered hand of the stranger, and returned his hearty grasp.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading “I am William Whitman, and I knew old Frank the instant I set eyes on him.

having a supporting base

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading James replied in the affirmative, as he clasped the offered hand of the stranger, and returned his hearty grasp.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

happening unexpectedly

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

plural of “team” — a cooperative unit (especially in sports)

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

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

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

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

From this reading “Is this James Renfew?”

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

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

a formal word for “on”

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

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

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

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

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

at the time that

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

in or at the place that

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

United States poet who celebrated the greatness of America (1819-1892)

From this reading “I am William Whitman, and I knew old Frank the instant I set eyes on him.

which person or people

From this reading James was proceeding leisurely along the street bordering on the river, called Front Street, when, as he approached a log tavern where a great number of teams were standing, his horse was suddenly caught by the bridle, and upon looking up, he was confronted by one of the finest-looking men he thought he had ever met, and who, extending his hand, exclaimed,—

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

From this reading “I am William Whitman, and I knew old Frank the instant I set eyes on him.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading How are you, old playmate?” patting Frank’s neck.