Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

later than; following

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

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

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

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

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Let it not be thought that Tammas had asked me to Little Rathie's funeral on his own responsibility.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

a Scottish word

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

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

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

the lower side of anything

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

terminate

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

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

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

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

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

a game played with playing cards

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

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

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

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

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

plural of “dance” — an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

propriety in manners and conduct

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

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

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

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

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

a person who operates a farm

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

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

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

inflected form of “flap” — move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated

From this reading Let it not be thought that Tammas had asked me to Little Rathie's funeral on his own responsibility.

plural of “funeral” — a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

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

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

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

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

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

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

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

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

a state of dishonor

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

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

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

plural of “invitation” — a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

a Scottish church

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

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

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Let it not be thought that Tammas had asked me to Little Rathie's funeral on his own responsibility.

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

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

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

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

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

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

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

From this reading Let it not be thought that Tammas had asked me to Little Rathie's funeral on his own responsibility.

a particular point in time

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Let it not be thought that Tammas had asked me to Little Rathie's funeral on his own responsibility.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

and nothing more

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Let it not be thought that Tammas had asked me to Little Rathie's funeral on his own responsibility.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

any red eruption of the skin

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

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

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

without strain or anxiety

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

set aside for the use of a particular person or party

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Let it not be thought that Tammas had asked me to Little Rathie's funeral on his own responsibility.

a building where young people receive education

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

with one side forward or to the front

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

that is looked for

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

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

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

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

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

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

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

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

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

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

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

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

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

make an effort or attempt

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

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

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

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

From this reading As a good Auld Licht, Tammas reserved his swallow-tail coat and "lum hat" (chimney pot) for the kirk and funerals; but the coat would have flapped villainously, to Tammas's eternal ignominy, had he for one rash moment relaxed his hold on the bottom button, and it was only by walking sideways, as horses sometimes try to do, that the hat could be kept at the angle of decorum.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

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

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

at the time that

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Burals were among the few events to break the monotony of an Auld Licht winter, and invitations were as much sought after as cards to my lady's dances in the south.

characteristic of or occurring in winter

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."

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

From this reading LITTLE RATHIE'S "BURAL" Devout-under-difficulties would have been the name of Lang Tammas had he been of Covenanting times.

a late time of life

From this reading So I thought one wintry afternoon, years before I went to the schoolhouse, when he dropped in to ask the pleasure of my company to the farmer of Little Rathie's "bural."