Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading Girnigoe was the oldest, and under the ruins of the keep was a dismal dungeon.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

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

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

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

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

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

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

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

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

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

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

plural of “castle” — a large and stately mansion

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

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

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

causing dejection

From this reading Girnigoe was the oldest, and under the ruins of the keep was a dismal dungeon.

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

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

From this reading Girnigoe was the oldest, and under the ruins of the keep was a dismal dungeon.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

plural of “earl” — a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

being six more than fifty

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

at a previous time

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

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

From this reading They were named Girnigoe and Sinclair.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

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

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

valuable flesh of fatty fish from shallow waters of northern Atlantic or Pacific; usually salted or pickled

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

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

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

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

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

past form of “intervene” — get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Girnigoe was the oldest, and under the ruins of the keep was a dismal dungeon.

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 We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

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

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading They were named Girnigoe and Sinclair.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

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

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

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

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Girnigoe was the oldest, and under the ruins of the keep was a dismal dungeon.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

above and across; more than

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

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

From this reading Girnigoe was the oldest, and under the ruins of the keep was a dismal dungeon.

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

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

United States writer whose novels argued for social reform (1878-1968)

From this reading They were named Girnigoe and Sinclair.

term of address for a man

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

plural of “stronghold” — a strongly fortified defensive structure

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

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

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

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

From this reading They were named Girnigoe and Sinclair.

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

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

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

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Girnigoe was the oldest, and under the ruins of the keep was a dismal dungeon.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

plural of “view” — a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

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

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

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

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

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

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

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

From this reading We passed Ackergill Tower, the residence of Sir George Dunbar, and about two miles farther on we came to two old castles quite near to each other, which were formerly the strongholds of the Earls of Caithness.

any piece of cord that conveys liquid by capillary action

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.

in the company of; together with

From this reading We now walked for miles along the seashore over huge sand-hills with fine views of the herring-boats putting out to sea.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading We counted fifty-six in one fleet, and the number would have been far greater had not Noss Head intervened to obstruct our view, as many more went out that night from Wick, although the herring season was now nearly over.