Chapter II

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

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

-ing form of “addict” — to cause (someone or oneself) to become dependent (on something, especially a narcotic drug)

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

plural of “advantage” — the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

later than; following

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

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

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

any thing at all

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

past form of “apprise” — inform (somebody) of something

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

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

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

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

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

use to one's advantage

From this reading I have the benefit of my friend the schoolmaster's strictures; of which, however, I shall only avail myself, in regard to the language, and that merely when I am fairly convinced that he is right and that I am wrong.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

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

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

financial assistance in time of need

From this reading I have the benefit of my friend the schoolmaster's strictures; of which, however, I shall only avail myself, in regard to the language, and that merely when I am fairly convinced that he is right and that I am wrong.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

plural of “bible” — the sacred writings of the Christian religions

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

inflected form of “breed” — call forth

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

plural of “call” — a telephone connection

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

make calm or still

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

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

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

an occurrence of something

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

carry on a conversation

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

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

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

persuaded of; very sure

From this reading I have the benefit of my friend the schoolmaster's strictures; of which, however, I shall only avail myself, in regard to the language, and that merely when I am fairly convinced that he is right and that I am wrong.

plural of “dame” — informal terms for a (young) woman

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

a clergyman; especially a settled minister or parson

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

possessing an education (especially having more than average knowledge)

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

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

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading I have the benefit of my friend the schoolmaster's strictures; of which, however, I shall only avail myself, in regard to the language, and that merely when I am fairly convinced that he is right and that I am wrong.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

plural of “find” — a productive insight

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

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

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

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

From this reading I have the benefit of my friend the schoolmaster's strictures; of which, however, I shall only avail myself, in regard to the language, and that merely when I am fairly convinced that he is right and that I am wrong.

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

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

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

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

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

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading I have the benefit of my friend the schoolmaster's strictures; of which, however, I shall only avail myself, in regard to the language, and that merely when I am fairly convinced that he is right and that I am wrong.

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

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

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

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

plural of “incident” — a single distinct event

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

third-person singular of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

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

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

conformity or harmony

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

plural of “lad” — a boy or man

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

immediately past

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

plural of “maiden” — an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

the force of workers available

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

make reference to

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

and nothing more

From this reading I have the benefit of my friend the schoolmaster's strictures; of which, however, I shall only avail myself, in regard to the language, and that merely when I am fairly convinced that he is right and that I am wrong.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

provide commentary for a film, for example

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

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 It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

plural of “needle” — the leaf of a conifer

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

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

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

amounting to a large indefinite number

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

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

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

and nothing more

From this reading I have the benefit of my friend the schoolmaster's strictures; of which, however, I shall only avail myself, in regard to the language, and that merely when I am fairly convinced that he is right and that I am wrong.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

in an original manner

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

above and across; more than

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

arrange in a container

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

someone who travels about selling his wares (as on the streets or at carnivals)

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

a person who travels by foot

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

using more words than necessary

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

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

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

by chance

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

the body of people in a learned occupation

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

in the right manner; correctly; suitably

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

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

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

-ing form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading I have the benefit of my friend the schoolmaster's strictures; of which, however, I shall only avail myself, in regard to the language, and that merely when I am fairly convinced that he is right and that I am wrong.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

precisely, exactly

From this reading I have the benefit of my friend the schoolmaster's strictures; of which, however, I shall only avail myself, in regard to the language, and that merely when I am fairly convinced that he is right and that I am wrong.

express in words

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

presiding officer of a school

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

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

From this reading I have the benefit of my friend the schoolmaster's strictures; of which, however, I shall only avail myself, in regard to the language, and that merely when I am fairly convinced that he is right and that I am wrong.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading I have the benefit of my friend the schoolmaster's strictures; of which, however, I shall only avail myself, in regard to the language, and that merely when I am fairly convinced that he is right and that I am wrong.

plural of “shawl” — cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

large scissors with strong blades

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

and nothing more

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

be seated

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

being ten more than fifty

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

be standing; be upright

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

plural of “stricture” — abnormal narrowing of a bodily canal or passageway

From this reading I have the benefit of my friend the schoolmaster's strictures; of which, however, I shall only avail myself, in regard to the language, and that merely when I am fairly convinced that he is right and that I am wrong.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

undergo or be subjected to

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

the activity of supplying or providing something

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

required or under orders

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

a leather strap for punishing children

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

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

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

in or at that place or location

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

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

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

up to a particular time

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

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

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

below the required standards for a purpose

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

characterized by variety

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

precisely as stated

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

a man's sleeveless garment worn underneath a coat

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

plural of “wandering” — travelling about without any clear destination

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

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

From this reading It is quite true that I was never properly bred for any profession, but was simply educated in the reading of English, and in the keeping of accounts, and may, therefore, be supposed to be very unfit for anything like grand composition, or style of language; but in case this narrative should, by any accident, as they say, _see the light_, I must premise that I am possessed of advantages of which the reader, till I inform him, cannot possibly be apprised.

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

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

(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 Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

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

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

at the time that

From this reading I have the benefit of my friend the schoolmaster's strictures; of which, however, I shall only avail myself, in regard to the language, and that merely when I am fairly convinced that he is right and that I am wrong.

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

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Having, at last, and after many wanderings and much converse with men, women, and children--not to mention dogs, which, in the hill-country, are numerous and noisy--having, I say, at last reached, as it were, a port or haven of rest, I sit here in my arm chair, with old Ponto on one side, and my not less faithful friend, the schoolmaster, on the other, keeping a calm look out over the ocean upon which I have been tossed, and recalling, as well as endeavouring in the best way I can to narrate, the somewhat varied incidents of my past life.

the manner in which something is expressed in words

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading With the wording of this very last sentence, Dominie Tawse finds fault, and insists upon it, that there is, I think he calls it, a "pleonasm" in it; but of this he has failed to convince me, and I therefore suffer the sentence to stand as it was originally written.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading I have the benefit of my friend the schoolmaster's strictures; of which, however, I shall only avail myself, in regard to the language, and that merely when I am fairly convinced that he is right and that I am wrong.

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

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.

a late time of life

From this reading It is now upwards of sixty years (says the packman) since I first took yard-wand in hand, and pack on back, addicting myself to much pedestrian travel, with the view of supplying dames with needles and shears, maidens with shawls and Bibles, and servant lads with watch-chains and waistcoat pieces.