Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

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

From this reading And the same spirit, martial, poetic, make-believe, stayed with Gilian up till the Friday.

an expectation

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

in a state of sleep

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

an instance of boastful talk

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

a borough in Scotland

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

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

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

any utterance produced simultaneously by a group

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

a group of people living in a particular local area

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

argue with one another

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

plural of “dram” — a unit of apothecary weight equal to an eighth of an ounce or to 60 grains

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

a British peer of the highest rank

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

a state of agitation or turbulent change or development

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day

From this reading And the same spirit, martial, poetic, make-believe, stayed with Gilian up till the Friday.

plural of “gable” — the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

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

From this reading And the same spirit, martial, poetic, make-believe, stayed with Gilian up till the Friday.

plural of “grass” — narrow-leaved green herbage: grown as lawns; used as pasture for grazing animals; cut and dried as hay

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

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

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

reduced wage paid to someone who is not working full time

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

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

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

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

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

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

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

disinclined to work or exertion

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

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

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

the act of tarrying

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

for more time

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

imaginative intellectual play

From this reading And the same spirit, martial, poetic, make-believe, stayed with Gilian up till the Friday.

(of persons) befitting a warrior

From this reading And the same spirit, martial, poetic, make-believe, stayed with Gilian up till the Friday.

the middle of the day

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

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

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

suggestive of sexual impropriety

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

not any; not one

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

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

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

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

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

of or relating to poetry

From this reading And the same spirit, martial, poetic, make-believe, stayed with Gilian up till the Friday.

in a manner having a powerful influence

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

Identical; not different.

From this reading And the same spirit, martial, poetic, make-believe, stayed with Gilian up till the Friday.

cut with a saw

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

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

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

the state of being asleep

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading And the same spirit, martial, poetic, make-believe, stayed with Gilian up till the Friday.

past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading And the same spirit, martial, poetic, make-believe, stayed with Gilian up till the Friday.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

plural of “tavern” — a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

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

From this reading And the same spirit, martial, poetic, make-believe, stayed with Gilian up till the Friday.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

up to a particular time

From this reading And the same spirit, martial, poetic, make-believe, stayed with Gilian up till the Friday.

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

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

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

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

plural of “tumbler” — a gymnast who performs rolls and somersaults and twists etc.

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

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

From this reading And the same spirit, martial, poetic, make-believe, stayed with Gilian up till the Friday.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

precisely as stated

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

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

From this reading The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses, the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate, and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams.

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

From this reading It was hard indeed to escape it, for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation?

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.

which person or people

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

in the company of; together with

From this reading And the same spirit, martial, poetic, make-believe, stayed with Gilian up till the Friday.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading The burgh ceased its industry, and the Duke, coming down the street upon his horse, saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands, singing naughty songs.

vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment

From this reading In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu.