Chapter XII

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

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

(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 Cleg found his position completely turned, and he himself beset on all sides.

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

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

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

From this reading Mistress McWalter dealt Kit Kennedy a blow with the poker upon his shoulder as she passed.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading For behind him the Loch lay black and deep.

annoy continually or chronically

From this reading Cleg found his position completely turned, and he himself beset on all sides.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading And in front the wall of the barn fairly shut him in between his enemies.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading For behind him the Loch lay black and deep.

exhale hard

From this reading Mistress McWalter dealt Kit Kennedy a blow with the poker upon his shoulder as she passed.

of black tinged with blue

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

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

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

large swift fly the female of which sucks blood of various animals

From this reading Cleg found his position completely turned, and he himself beset on all sides.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Cleg found his position completely turned, and he himself beset on all sides.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

inflected form of “deal” — act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading Mistress McWalter dealt Kit Kennedy a blow with the poker upon his shoulder as she passed.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading For behind him the Loch lay black and deep.

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading And in front the wall of the barn fairly shut him in between his enemies.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading And in front the wall of the barn fairly shut him in between his enemies.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For behind him the Loch lay black and deep.

set up or found

From this reading Cleg found his position completely turned, and he himself beset on all sides.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading And in front the wall of the barn fairly shut him in between his enemies.

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

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

From this reading Cleg found his position completely turned, and he himself beset on all sides.

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

From this reading For behind him the Loch lay black and deep.

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

From this reading Cleg found his position completely turned, and he himself beset on all sides.

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

From this reading Cleg found his position completely turned, and he himself beset on all sides.

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

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

35th President of the United States; established the Peace Corps; assassinated in Dallas (1917-1963)

From this reading Mistress McWalter dealt Kit Kennedy a blow with the poker upon his shoulder as she passed.

a case for containing a set of articles

From this reading Mistress McWalter dealt Kit Kennedy a blow with the poker upon his shoulder as she passed.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading For behind him the Loch lay black and deep.

a long narrow inlet of the sea in Scotland (especially when it is nearly landlocked)

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

of grammatical gender

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

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

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

a particular point in time

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

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

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Cleg found his position completely turned, and he himself beset on all sides.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Mistress McWalter dealt Kit Kennedy a blow with the poker upon his shoulder as she passed.

a long-handled hand tool with sharp widely spaced prongs for lifting and pitching hay

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

fire iron consisting of a metal rod with a handle; used to stir a fire

From this reading Mistress McWalter dealt Kit Kennedy a blow with the poker upon his shoulder as she passed.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading Cleg found his position completely turned, and he himself beset on all sides.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

Identical; not different.

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Mistress McWalter dealt Kit Kennedy a blow with the poker upon his shoulder as she passed.

-ing form of “shepherd” — watch over like a shepherd, as a teacher of her pupils

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading Mistress McWalter dealt Kit Kennedy a blow with the poker upon his shoulder as she passed.

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading And in front the wall of the barn fairly shut him in between his enemies.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Cleg found his position completely turned, and he himself beset on all sides.

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

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

shedding tears

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

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

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Cleg found his position completely turned, and he himself beset on all sides.

thick woolen fabric used for clothing; originated in Scotland

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

a native of Yorkshire

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

not neat and tidy

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Mistress McWalter dealt Kit Kennedy a blow with the poker upon his shoulder as she passed.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading And in front the wall of the barn fairly shut him in between his enemies.

during the time that

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading In a moment more Mistress McWalter, a tall, masculine woman, with untidy hair of frosty blue-black, came tearing round the corner, while at the same time out of the back barn door issued John McWalter, armed with a pitchfork, and followed by Tweed and Tyke, the clamourous shepherding dogs of Loch Spellanderie.