Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

(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 But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

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

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

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

From this reading Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Menteith descended first, and then the two footmen looked puzzled as to what they should do next.

on or to one side

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

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

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

United States mythologist (1904-1987)

From this reading Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Menteith descended first, and then the two footmen looked puzzled as to what they should do next.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

in accordance with convention or custom

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Menteith descended first, and then the two footmen looked puzzled as to what they should do next.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Menteith descended first, and then the two footmen looked puzzled as to what they should do next.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

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

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

any federal law-enforcement officer

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

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

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Menteith descended first, and then the two footmen looked puzzled as to what they should do next.

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

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

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

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

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

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

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

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

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

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

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

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

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

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

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

freedom from control or influence of another or others

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

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

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

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 The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

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

From this reading Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Menteith descended first, and then the two footmen looked puzzled as to what they should do next.

engage in

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

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

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

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

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

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

From this reading Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Menteith descended first, and then the two footmen looked puzzled as to what they should do next.

past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

subject to death

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Menteith descended first, and then the two footmen looked puzzled as to what they should do next.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Menteith descended first, and then the two footmen looked puzzled as to what they should do next.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Menteith descended first, and then the two footmen looked puzzled as to what they should do next.

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

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

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

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

filled with bewilderment

From this reading Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Menteith descended first, and then the two footmen looked puzzled as to what they should do next.

cause to become

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

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

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

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

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

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

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Menteith descended first, and then the two footmen looked puzzled as to what they should do next.

a feeling of fear of embarrassment

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

an ability that has been acquired by training

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

look at with fixed eyes

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

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

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Menteith descended first, and then the two footmen looked puzzled as to what they should do next.

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

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

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

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

not known or well known

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

precisely as stated

From this reading But they had too much habitual respect for the great house and great folk of the place, mingled with their national shyness and independence, to stare very much.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

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

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A few moved aside to make way for the two grand Edinburg footmen who leaped down from their perch in order to render customary assistance to the occupants of the carriage.

(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 But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Menteith descended first, and then the two footmen looked puzzled as to what they should do next.

which person or people

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

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

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.

but in spite of that

From this reading The carriage of the Earl of Cairnforth, with its familiar and yet long unfamiliar liveries, produced a keen sensation among the simple folk who formed the congregation of Cairnforth.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading But Malcolm was before them--Malcolm, who never suffered mortal man but himself to render the least assistance to his young master; who watched and tended him; waited on and fed him in the day, and slept in his room at night; who, in truth, had now, for a year past, slipped into all the offices of a nurse as well as servant, and performed them with a woman's tenderness, care, and skill.