Chapter XV

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

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

the state of being absent

From this reading Her man was away, she told him, and she was unwilling to admit strangers in his absence.

inflected form of “abut” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary

From this reading To-night he lay in the barn abutting on the tiny farmhouse at which he had sought shelter for Archie.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Her man was away, she told him, and she was unwilling to admit strangers in his absence.

wood of any of various alder trees; resistant to underwater rot; used for bridges etc

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

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

From this reading Her man was away, she told him, and she was unwilling to admit strangers in his absence.

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

From this reading To-night he lay in the barn abutting on the tiny farmhouse at which he had sought shelter for Archie.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Her man was away, she told him, and she was unwilling to admit strangers in his absence.

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

From this reading To-night he lay in the barn abutting on the tiny farmhouse at which he had sought shelter for Archie.

plural of “barn” — an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

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

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

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

From this reading He had met with a half-hearted reception from the woman who came to the door.

past form of “chance” — be the case by chance

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

a place of worship that has its own altar

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

Following continuously in unbroken sequence.

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

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

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

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

From this reading He had met with a half-hearted reception from the woman who came to the door.

a social unit living together

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

house for a farmer and family

From this reading To-night he lay in the barn abutting on the tiny farmhouse at which he had sought shelter for Archie.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading To-night he lay in the barn abutting on the tiny farmhouse at which he had sought shelter for Archie.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had met with a half-hearted reception from the woman who came to the door.

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

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

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

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

feeling or showing little interest or enthusiasm

From this reading He had met with a half-hearted reception from the woman who came to the door.

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

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

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

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Her man was away, she told him, and she was unwilling to admit strangers in his absence.

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

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

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

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

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

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading To-night he lay in the barn abutting on the tiny farmhouse at which he had sought shelter for Archie.

similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

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

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

a reformed prostitute

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

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

From this reading Her man was away, she told him, and she was unwilling to admit strangers in his absence.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading He had met with a half-hearted reception from the woman who came to the door.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

held or filled or in use

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

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

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

plural of “quarry” — a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

the manner in which something is greeted

From this reading He had met with a half-hearted reception from the woman who came to the door.

To recall to mind.

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

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

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

Identical; not different.

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

not often

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

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

From this reading Her man was away, she told him, and she was unwilling to admit strangers in his absence.

plural of “shed” — an outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading To-night he lay in the barn abutting on the tiny farmhouse at which he had sought shelter for Archie.

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

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

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

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

that is looked for

From this reading To-night he lay in the barn abutting on the tiny farmhouse at which he had sought shelter for Archie.

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

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading Her man was away, she told him, and she was unwilling to admit strangers in his absence.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

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

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

plural of “theory” — a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

very small

From this reading To-night he lay in the barn abutting on the tiny farmhouse at which he had sought shelter for Archie.

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

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

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

From this reading To-night he lay in the barn abutting on the tiny farmhouse at which he had sought shelter for Archie.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Her man was away, she told him, and she was unwilling to admit strangers in his absence.

not disposed or inclined toward

From this reading Her man was away, she told him, and she was unwilling to admit strangers in his absence.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

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

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

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

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

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

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

at the time that

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

in or at the place that

From this reading WATTIE HAS THEORIES THOUGH Skirling Wattie seldom occupied the same bed on many consecutive nights, his various resting-places had so great a family likeness that he could not always remember where he was when he chanced to wake in the small hours.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading To-night he lay in the barn abutting on the tiny farmhouse at which he had sought shelter for Archie.

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

From this reading Sheds, barns, stables harboured him in the cold months when luck was good; loanings, old quarries, whin-patches, the alder clump beyond Brechin, or the wall-side at Magdalen Chapel, in the summer.

which person or people

From this reading He had met with a half-hearted reception from the woman who came to the door.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had met with a half-hearted reception from the woman who came to the door.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading He had met with a half-hearted reception from the woman who came to the door.