Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

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

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

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

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

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

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

harass with persistent criticism or carping

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

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

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

form a curve

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

terminate

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

make by combining materials and parts

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Indeed, it would be a singular thing if it was found, unless some special business or direction led to it.

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

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

without doubt or question

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

plural of “cottage” — a small house with a single story

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

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

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading Indeed, it would be a singular thing if it was found, unless some special business or direction led to it.

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

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

a small high-pitched flute similar to a piccolo; has a shrill tone and is used chiefly to accompany drums in a marching band

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

the act of someone who fishes as a diversion

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

set up or found

From this reading Indeed, it would be a singular thing if it was found, unless some special business or direction led to it.

a feeling of intense anger

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

a community of people smaller than a village

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

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

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

not accessible to view

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Indeed, it would be a singular thing if it was found, unless some special business or direction led to it.

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

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Indeed, it would be a singular thing if it was found, unless some special business or direction led to it.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

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

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading Indeed, it would be a singular thing if it was found, unless some special business or direction led to it.

inflected form of “level” — aim at

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

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

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

lowest in rank or importance

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

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 It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

the force of workers available

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

plural of “net” — a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

on one occasion

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Indeed, it would be a singular thing if it was found, unless some special business or direction led to it.

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

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

participate in games or sport

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

with low volume

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

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

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

a plane figure with the shape of half a circle

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

unusual or striking

From this reading Indeed, it would be a singular thing if it was found, unless some special business or direction led to it.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

the state of being asleep

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Indeed, it would be a singular thing if it was found, unless some special business or direction led to it.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading Indeed, it would be a singular thing if it was found, unless some special business or direction led to it.

not in physical motion

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

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

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

in or at that place or location

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

a special situation

From this reading Indeed, it would be a singular thing if it was found, unless some special business or direction led to it.

something that is a source of danger

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

plural of “tide” — the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

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

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

except if; if not

From this reading Indeed, it would be a singular thing if it was found, unless some special business or direction led to it.

precisely as stated

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

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

From this reading Indeed, it would be a singular thing if it was found, unless some special business or direction led to it.

temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

in or at the place that

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

during the time that

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.

in the company of; together with

From this reading For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,--a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages.

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

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing.

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

From this reading It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun.