Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

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

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

from appearances alone

From this reading The other, on top of the stack, wrapped apparently in gloomy meditation, was Sam'l Todd.

an orderly arrangement

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading One lay sprawling on the crest of the rick, the other stood perched on a ladder at a lower level.

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

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading In the stack-yard, behind the lengthy range of stables, two men were thatching.

in a brazen manner

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

a period of 100 years

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

the appearance conveyed by a person's face

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading One lay sprawling on the crest of the rick, the other stood perched on a ladder at a lower level.

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

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

house for a farmer and family

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

depressingly dark

From this reading The other, on top of the stack, wrapped apparently in gloomy meditation, was Sam'l Todd.

large in amount or extent or degree

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

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

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

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

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

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

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down

From this reading One lay sprawling on the crest of the rick, the other stood perched on a ladder at a lower level.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading One lay sprawling on the crest of the rick, the other stood perched on a ladder at a lower level.

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading In the stack-yard, behind the lengthy range of stables, two men were thatching.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading One lay sprawling on the crest of the rick, the other stood perched on a ladder at a lower level.

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 sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

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

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading One lay sprawling on the crest of the rick, the other stood perched on a ladder at a lower level.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature

From this reading The other, on top of the stack, wrapped apparently in gloomy meditation, was Sam'l Todd.

the force of workers available

From this reading In the stack-yard, behind the lengthy range of stables, two men were thatching.

plural of “moore” — United States composer of works noted for their use of the American vernacular (1893-1969)

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

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

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

United States naturalist (born in England) who advocated the creation of national parks (1838-1914)

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

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

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One lay sprawling on the crest of the rick, the other stood perched on a ladder at a lower level.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading One lay sprawling on the crest of the rick, the other stood perched on a ladder at a lower level.

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

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

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

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch

From this reading One lay sprawling on the crest of the rick, the other stood perched on a ladder at a lower level.

a broad highway designed for high-speed traffic

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

plural of “raid” — a sudden short attack

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading In the stack-yard, behind the lengthy range of stables, two men were thatching.

plural of “range” — an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

plural of “relic” — an antiquity that has survived from the distant past

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

a painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back (“rick” and “wrick” are British)

From this reading One lay sprawling on the crest of the rick, the other stood perched on a ladder at a lower level.

plural of “rick” — a painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back (“rick” and “wrick” are British)

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

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

From this reading The other, on top of the stack, wrapped apparently in gloomy meditation, was Sam'l Todd.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

marked by practical hardheaded intelligence

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

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

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread about

From this reading One lay sprawling on the crest of the rick, the other stood perched on a ladder at a lower level.

plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock

From this reading In the stack-yard, behind the lengthy range of stables, two men were thatching.

an orderly pile

From this reading The other, on top of the stack, wrapped apparently in gloomy meditation, was Sam'l Todd.

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

From this reading In the stack-yard, behind the lengthy range of stables, two men were thatching.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading One lay sprawling on the crest of the rick, the other stood perched on a ladder at a lower level.

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

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

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

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

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

From this reading In the stack-yard, behind the lengthy range of stables, two men were thatching.

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

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

American architect (1759-1828)

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

Scottish chemist noted for his research into the structure of nucleic acids (born in 1907)

From this reading The other, on top of the stack, wrapped apparently in gloomy meditation, was Sam'l Todd.

the upper part of anything

From this reading The other, on top of the stack, wrapped apparently in gloomy meditation, was Sam'l Todd.

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

From this reading In the stack-yard, behind the lengthy range of stables, two men were thatching.

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

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

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

From this reading In the stack-yard, behind the lengthy range of stables, two men were thatching.

coated with whitewash

From this reading THE sun stared brazenly down on a gray farmhouse lying, long and low in the shadow of the Muir Pike; on the ruins of peel-tower and barmkyn, relics of the time of raids, it looked; on ranges of whitewashed outbuildings; on a goodly array of dark-thatched ricks.

which person or people

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The latter, small, old, with shrewd nut-brown countenance, was Tammas Thornton, who had served the Moores of Kenmuir for more than half a century.

covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak

From this reading The other, on top of the stack, wrapped apparently in gloomy meditation, was Sam'l Todd.