Chapter IX · “Look to It.”

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

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance

From this reading A close observer might have noticed his paleness and agitation.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

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

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

tree (as opposed to shrub)

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

several beads threaded together on a string

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading But clad in his soiled and much-worn garments, with face deeply bronzed, locks uncombed, and beard unshaven, he was but a sorry-looking object.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He might have been a fine-looking man, for his face was highly intelligent in expression, and his form was tall, straight, and well developed.

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

From this reading But clad in his soiled and much-worn garments, with face deeply bronzed, locks uncombed, and beard unshaven, he was but a sorry-looking object.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But clad in his soiled and much-worn garments, with face deeply bronzed, locks uncombed, and beard unshaven, he was but a sorry-looking object.

a tight-fitting headdress

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading But clad in his soiled and much-worn garments, with face deeply bronzed, locks uncombed, and beard unshaven, he was but a sorry-looking object.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading A close observer might have noticed his paleness and agitation.

-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful

From this reading He might have been a fine-looking man, for his face was highly intelligent in expression, and his form was tall, straight, and well developed.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading He might have been a fine-looking man, for his face was highly intelligent in expression, and his form was tall, straight, and well developed.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading He might have been a fine-looking man, for his face was highly intelligent in expression, and his form was tall, straight, and well developed.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading He might have been a fine-looking man, for his face was highly intelligent in expression, and his form was tall, straight, and well developed.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

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

From this reading He might have been a fine-looking man, for his face was highly intelligent in expression, and his form was tall, straight, and well developed.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

plural of “garment” — an article of clothing

From this reading But clad in his soiled and much-worn garments, with face deeply bronzed, locks uncombed, and beard unshaven, he was but a sorry-looking object.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

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

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

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

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A close observer might have noticed his paleness and agitation.

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

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading He might have been a fine-looking man, for his face was highly intelligent in expression, and his form was tall, straight, and well developed.

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

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

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

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

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

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree

From this reading He might have been a fine-looking man, for his face was highly intelligent in expression, and his form was tall, straight, and well developed.

and nothing more

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

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

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed

From this reading But clad in his soiled and much-worn garments, with face deeply bronzed, locks uncombed, and beard unshaven, he was but a sorry-looking object.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

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

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading A close observer might have noticed his paleness and agitation.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

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

From this reading But clad in his soiled and much-worn garments, with face deeply bronzed, locks uncombed, and beard unshaven, he was but a sorry-looking object.

being perceived or observed

From this reading A close observer might have noticed his paleness and agitation.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading But clad in his soiled and much-worn garments, with face deeply bronzed, locks uncombed, and beard unshaven, he was but a sorry-looking object.

a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses

From this reading A close observer might have noticed his paleness and agitation.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

unnatural lack of color in the skin (as from bruising or sickness or emotional distress)

From this reading A close observer might have noticed his paleness and agitation.

salty fluid secreted by sweat glands

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

past form of “rehearse” — engage in a rehearsal

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading But clad in his soiled and much-worn garments, with face deeply bronzed, locks uncombed, and beard unshaven, he was but a sorry-looking object.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

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

From this reading But clad in his soiled and much-worn garments, with face deeply bronzed, locks uncombed, and beard unshaven, he was but a sorry-looking object.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

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 Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

successive (without a break)

From this reading He might have been a fine-looking man, for his face was highly intelligent in expression, and his form was tall, straight, and well developed.

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

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

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 Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

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

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

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

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

(of hair) not combed

From this reading But clad in his soiled and much-worn garments, with face deeply bronzed, locks uncombed, and beard unshaven, he was but a sorry-looking object.

not shaved

From this reading But clad in his soiled and much-worn garments, with face deeply bronzed, locks uncombed, and beard unshaven, he was but a sorry-looking object.

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

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

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

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

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

From this reading He might have been a fine-looking man, for his face was highly intelligent in expression, and his form was tall, straight, and well developed.

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

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

rub with a circular motion

From this reading Evidently something in the tale had moved him deeply, for great beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, from which his cap was pushed back, and the hand he raised to wipe his brow shook like a reed.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading Half crouching, half lying among the tall grass just outside the circle of arbor vitæ, was a large, swarthy-looking man, his eyes and mouth agape with astonishment at the wondrous story he had just heard rehearsed.