Chapter XV · His Aunt Explains

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

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

later than; following

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

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

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

(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 "I meant all along that you should marry the doctor's daughter.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading "I meant all along that you should marry the doctor's daughter.

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

From this reading Of course, as a Macleod of Pittenquhair, you might have had the best in the land, but then--what a Macleod you are!

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

From this reading Of course, as a Macleod of Pittenquhair, you might have had the best in the land, but then--what a Macleod you are!

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

for the reason that

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Of course, as a Macleod of Pittenquhair, you might have had the best in the land, but then--what a Macleod you are!

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Of course, as a Macleod of Pittenquhair, you might have had the best in the land, but then--what a Macleod you are!

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They pull him by the tail when they want him to follow his snout.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

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

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course, as a Macleod of Pittenquhair, you might have had the best in the land, but then--what a Macleod you are!

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

a female human offspring

From this reading "I meant all along that you should marry the doctor's daughter.

possessive form of “devil” — (Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading "I meant all along that you should marry the doctor's daughter.

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

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

at any time

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

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

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading They pull him by the tail when they want him to follow his snout.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

the act of giving

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

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

From this reading Of course, as a Macleod of Pittenquhair, you might have had the best in the land, but then--what a Macleod you are!

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Of course, as a Macleod of Pittenquhair, you might have had the best in the land, but then--what a Macleod you are!

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Have you ever heard of the Irishman's pig?

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

From this reading They pull him by the tail when they want him to follow his snout.

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

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

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

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

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

From this reading Of course, as a Macleod of Pittenquhair, you might have had the best in the land, but then--what a Macleod you are!

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

From this reading Have you ever heard of the Irishman's pig?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Of course, as a Macleod of Pittenquhair, you might have had the best in the land, but then--what a Macleod you are!

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

Scottish physiologist who directed the research by F. G. Banting and C. H. Best that led to the discovery of insulin (1876-1935)

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

joined in matrimony

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

take in marriage

From this reading "I meant all along that you should marry the doctor's daughter.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading "I meant all along that you should marry the doctor's daughter.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Of course, as a Macleod of Pittenquhair, you might have had the best in the land, but then--what a Macleod you are!

a son of your brother or sister

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Of course, as a Macleod of Pittenquhair, you might have had the best in the land, but then--what a Macleod you are!

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

domestic swine

From this reading Have you ever heard of the Irishman's pig?

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

From this reading Of course, as a Macleod of Pittenquhair, you might have had the best in the land, but then--what a Macleod you are!

cause to move by pulling

From this reading They pull him by the tail when they want him to follow his snout.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

for a short time

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "I meant all along that you should marry the doctor's daughter.

a long projecting or anterior elongation of an animal's head; especially the nose

From this reading They pull him by the tail when they want him to follow his snout.

the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body

From this reading They pull him by the tail when they want him to follow his snout.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I meant all along that you should marry the doctor's daughter.

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

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Of course, as a Macleod of Pittenquhair, you might have had the best in the land, but then--what a Macleod you are!

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

From this reading They pull him by the tail when they want him to follow his snout.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

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

From this reading They pull him by the tail when they want him to follow his snout.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

except if; if not

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading They pull him by the tail when they want him to follow his snout.

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

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Of course, as a Macleod of Pittenquhair, you might have had the best in the land, but then--what a Macleod you are!

at the time that

From this reading They pull him by the tail when they want him to follow his snout.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

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

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Shortly after his marriage Alan Macleod received the following curious letter from his aunt,-- "NEPHEW ALAN,--Don't talk fiddlesticks about giving up the Church because you're married, though _I_ never could understand why you ever became a parson, unless it was because your father was the devil's own.