Chapter IX

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

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

(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 Not that they, or the majority of them at all events, doubted the existence of witchcraft.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

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

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

react verbally

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

any thing at all

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

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

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

a person who is in charge

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

a young person of either sex

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

have the idea for

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

very opposed in nature or character or purpose

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

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

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about

From this reading Not that they, or the majority of them at all events, doubted the existence of witchcraft.

a British peer of the highest rank

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading Not that they, or the majority of them at all events, doubted the existence of witchcraft.

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

From this reading HIS EXCELLENCY'S JUDGMENT.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading Not that they, or the majority of them at all events, doubted the existence of witchcraft.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

unflinching in battle or action

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

a man of refinement

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

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

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

Irish mathematician (1806-1865)

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

come to pass

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

lacking in or deprived of strength or power

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

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

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

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

From this reading HIS EXCELLENCY'S JUDGMENT.

sing with closed lips

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

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

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

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

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

a feeling of righteous anger

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

an opinion formed by judging something

From this reading HIS EXCELLENCY'S JUDGMENT.

the sound of laughing

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part

From this reading Not that they, or the majority of them at all events, doubted the existence of witchcraft.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

the force of workers available

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

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

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not that they, or the majority of them at all events, doubted the existence of witchcraft.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Not that they, or the majority of them at all events, doubted the existence of witchcraft.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Not that they, or the majority of them at all events, doubted the existence of witchcraft.

in other respects or ways

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

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

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

only a very short time before

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

not in physical motion

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

past form of “surrender” — give up or agree to forgo to the power or possession of another

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

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

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Not that they, or the majority of them at all events, doubted the existence of witchcraft.

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

From this reading Not that they, or the majority of them at all events, doubted the existence of witchcraft.

a special situation

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

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

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

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

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

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

From this reading Respect for their chief did indeed silence the laughter which the man's answer would otherwise have caused, but it could not still the murmur of amazement and ridicule, or the hum of indignation which rose to their lips.

a female sorcerer or magician

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.

the art of sorcery

From this reading Not that they, or the majority of them at all events, doubted the existence of witchcraft.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading If Duke Hamilton had suddenly appeared in the room and surrendered himself without terms--a thing beyond doubt unlikely to happen as long as that gallant gentleman had thirty thousand men at his back--those present could scarcely have looked more astonished.

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

From this reading On the contrary; but anything less like the common idea of a witch than this helpless child it would have been difficult to conceive.