Chapter XXXVIII · Chapter 38

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

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

to or in a foreign country

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

(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 No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

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

From this reading No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

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

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

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

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

surprising greatly

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It engaged the seamen on the tiny trading vessels at the quay, and excited the eagerest speculation in Ludovic's inn.

past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

the place where someone was born

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

show off

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

an indefinite time in the future

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

British statesman who as Prime Minister pursued a policy of appeasement toward fascist Germany (1869-1940)

From this reading No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

under normal conditions

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

plural of “crime” — (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

precise; explicit and clearly defined

From this reading No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

many and different

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Women put down their water-stoups at the wells and shook mysterious heads over hints of Sim MacTaggart's history.

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

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

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

From this reading It engaged the seamen on the tiny trading vessels at the quay, and excited the eagerest speculation in Ludovic's inn.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading It engaged the seamen on the tiny trading vessels at the quay, and excited the eagerest speculation in Ludovic's inn.

plural of “escapade” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading It engaged the seamen on the tiny trading vessels at the quay, and excited the eagerest speculation in Ludovic's inn.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

(of e.g. fabric design) adorned with patterns

From this reading No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

a person of French nationality

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

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

From this reading No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

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

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Women put down their water-stoups at the wells and shook mysterious heads over hints of Sim MacTaggart's history.

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

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

plural of “hint” — an indirect suggestion

From this reading Women put down their water-stoups at the wells and shook mysterious heads over hints of Sim MacTaggart's history.

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

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading Women put down their water-stoups at the wells and shook mysterious heads over hints of Sim MacTaggart's history.

the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

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

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

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

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading It engaged the seamen on the tiny trading vessels at the quay, and excited the eagerest speculation in Ludovic's inn.

plural of “innuendo” — an indirect (and usually malicious) implication

From this reading No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It engaged the seamen on the tiny trading vessels at the quay, and excited the eagerest speculation in Ludovic's inn.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

set down according to a plan

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

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

From this reading It engaged the seamen on the tiny trading vessels at the quay, and excited the eagerest speculation in Ludovic's inn.

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

From this reading Women put down their water-stoups at the wells and shook mysterious heads over hints of Sim MacTaggart's history.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

the force of workers available

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

of an obscure nature

From this reading Women put down their water-stoups at the wells and shook mysterious heads over hints of Sim MacTaggart's history.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

not any; not one

From this reading No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It engaged the seamen on the tiny trading vessels at the quay, and excited the eagerest speculation in Ludovic's inn.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

above and across; more than

From this reading Women put down their water-stoups at the wells and shook mysterious heads over hints of Sim MacTaggart's history.

the local environment

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

with intention; in an intentional manner

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Women put down their water-stoups at the wells and shook mysterious heads over hints of Sim MacTaggart's history.

wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline

From this reading It engaged the seamen on the tiny trading vessels at the quay, and excited the eagerest speculation in Ludovic's inn.

gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

plural of “seaman” — a man who serves as a sailor

From this reading It engaged the seamen on the tiny trading vessels at the quay, and excited the eagerest speculation in Ludovic's inn.

the act of searching for something

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading Women put down their water-stoups at the wells and shook mysterious heads over hints of Sim MacTaggart's history.

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

From this reading Women put down their water-stoups at the wells and shook mysterious heads over hints of Sim MacTaggart's history.

one of the twelve Apostles (first century)

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

people who have been slain (as in battle)

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

From this reading It engaged the seamen on the tiny trading vessels at the quay, and excited the eagerest speculation in Ludovic's inn.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

infer from incomplete evidence

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

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

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Women put down their water-stoups at the wells and shook mysterious heads over hints of Sim MacTaggart's history.

in or at that place or location

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

very small

From this reading It engaged the seamen on the tiny trading vessels at the quay, and excited the eagerest speculation in Ludovic's inn.

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

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

buying or selling securities or commodities

From this reading It engaged the seamen on the tiny trading vessels at the quay, and excited the eagerest speculation in Ludovic's inn.

in a vague way

From this reading No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading It engaged the seamen on the tiny trading vessels at the quay, and excited the eagerest speculation in Ludovic's inn.

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

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

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

From this reading Women put down their water-stoups at the wells and shook mysterious heads over hints of Sim MacTaggart's history.

prolific English writer best known for his science-fiction novels; he also wrote on contemporary social problems and wrote popular accounts of history and science (1866-1946)

From this reading Women put down their water-stoups at the wells and shook mysterious heads over hints of Sim MacTaggart's history.

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

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

during the time that

From this reading No one for a while had a definite story, but in all the innuendoes the Chamberlain figured vaguely as an evil influence.

plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Some days passed and a rumour went about the town, in its origin as indiscoverable as the birthplace of the winds.

in the company of; together with

From this reading That he had slain a man in some parts abroad was the first and the least astonishing of the crimes laid to his charge, though the fact that he had never made a brag of it was counted sinister; but, by-and-by, surmise and sheer imagination gave place to a commonly accepted tale that Simon had figured in divers escapades in France with the name Drimdarroch; that he had betrayed men and women there, and that the Frenchman had come purposely to Scotland seeking for him.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Women put down their water-stoups at the wells and shook mysterious heads over hints of Sim MacTaggart's history.