used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Well, Davie, that seems to me a most unsubstantial reason.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "He says he does it for love of Scotland and hatred of England; an ancient enemy.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading "He says he does it for love of Scotland and hatred of England; an ancient enemy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "He says he does it for love of Scotland and hatred of England; an ancient enemy.
arisesverbUS /ərˈaɪzəz/
third-person singular of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading "Where then arises the profit to your Italian?
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Were but the Scottish nation rich, he thinks they could the better withstand incursions from the south."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Were but the Scottish nation rich, he thinks they could the better withstand incursions from the south."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Were but the Scottish nation rich, he thinks they could the better withstand incursions from the south."
Davie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, Davie, that seems to me a most unsubstantial reason.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "He says he does it for love of Scotland and hatred of England; an ancient enemy.
an opposing military force
From this reading "He says he does it for love of Scotland and hatred of England; an ancient enemy.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading "He says he does it for love of Scotland and hatred of England; an ancient enemy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I never knew these foreigners to work for nothing."
foreignersnounUS /ˈfɔːrənərz/
plural of “foreigner” — a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
From this reading I never knew these foreigners to work for nothing."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Were but the Scottish nation rich, he thinks they could the better withstand incursions from the south."
the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
From this reading "He says he does it for love of Scotland and hatred of England; an ancient enemy.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "He says he does it for love of Scotland and hatred of England; an ancient enemy.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I never knew these foreigners to work for nothing."
incursionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈkɜːrʒənz/
plural of “incursion” — the act of entering some territory or domain (often in large numbers)
From this reading Were but the Scottish nation rich, he thinks they could the better withstand incursions from the south."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "He says he does it for love of Scotland and hatred of England; an ancient enemy.
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading "Where then arises the profit to your Italian?
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I never knew these foreigners to work for nothing."
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading "He says he does it for love of Scotland and hatred of England; an ancient enemy.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Well, Davie, that seems to me a most unsubstantial reason.
used to form the superlative
From this reading "Well, Davie, that seems to me a most unsubstantial reason.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Were but the Scottish nation rich, he thinks they could the better withstand incursions from the south."
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I never knew these foreigners to work for nothing."
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I never knew these foreigners to work for nothing."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "He says he does it for love of Scotland and hatred of England; an ancient enemy.
profitnounUS /ˈprɑːfət/
the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)
From this reading "Where then arises the profit to your Italian?
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading "Well, Davie, that seems to me a most unsubstantial reason.
possessing material wealth
From this reading Were but the Scottish nation rich, he thinks they could the better withstand incursions from the south."
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading "He says he does it for love of Scotland and hatred of England; an ancient enemy.
ScotlandnounUS /ˈskɑːtlənd/
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
From this reading "He says he does it for love of Scotland and hatred of England; an ancient enemy.
ScottishnounUS /ˈskɑːtɪʃ/
the dialect of English used in Scotland
From this reading Were but the Scottish nation rich, he thinks they could the better withstand incursions from the south."
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "Well, Davie, that seems to me a most unsubstantial reason.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Were but the Scottish nation rich, he thinks they could the better withstand incursions from the south."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Well, Davie, that seems to me a most unsubstantial reason.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Where then arises the profit to your Italian?
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Where then arises the profit to your Italian?
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading I never knew these foreigners to work for nothing."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Were but the Scottish nation rich, he thinks they could the better withstand incursions from the south."
plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking
From this reading Were but the Scottish nation rich, he thinks they could the better withstand incursions from the south."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Where then arises the profit to your Italian?
unsubstantialadjective
lacking material form or substance; unreal
From this reading "Well, Davie, that seems to me a most unsubstantial reason.
(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 "Well, Davie, that seems to me a most unsubstantial reason.
Wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Were but the Scottish nation rich, he thinks they could the better withstand incursions from the south."
in or at the place that
From this reading "Where then arises the profit to your Italian?
withstandverbUS /wɪθˈstænd/
resist or confront with resistance
From this reading Were but the Scottish nation rich, he thinks they could the better withstand incursions from the south."
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading I never knew these foreigners to work for nothing."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Where then arises the profit to your Italian?
