Chapter XXVIII

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

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

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

From this reading An' there was a Tummas even amang the Apostles,' (and here he glanced reproachfully at the Laird).

pleasantly occupied

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

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

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

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

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

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

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

used of a single unit or thing; not two or more

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

plural of “apostle” — an ardent early supporter of a cause or reform

From this reading An' there was a Tummas even amang the Apostles,' (and here he glanced reproachfully at the Laird).

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

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

a particular environment or walk of life

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

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

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading An' there was a Tummas even amang the Apostles,' (and here he glanced reproachfully at the Laird).

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

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

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

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading _MORE FAITHFULNESS BUT LESS LOVE_.

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

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

deem to be

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

A short, wide strip of silk fabric worn by gentlemen around the neck inside an open-collared shirt.

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

someone who perpetrates wrongdoing

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

plural of “deacon” — a Protestant layman who assists the minister

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

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

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

the office of elder

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

divisible by two

From this reading An' there was a Tummas even amang the Apostles,' (and here he glanced reproachfully at the Laird).

opinion or judgment

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

the quality of being faithful

From this reading _MORE FAITHFULNESS BUT LESS LOVE_.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading An' there was a Tummas even amang the Apostles,' (and here he glanced reproachfully at the Laird).

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

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

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

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

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

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading An' there was a Tummas even amang the Apostles,' (and here he glanced reproachfully at the Laird).

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

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

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

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

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

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

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

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

moving to the inside of something

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

Jewish republic in southwestern Asia at eastern end of Mediterranean; formerly part of Palestine

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

and nothing more

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

a landowner

From this reading An' there was a Tummas even amang the Apostles,' (and here he glanced reproachfully at the Laird).

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading _MORE FAITHFULNESS BUT LESS LOVE_.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading _MORE FAITHFULNESS BUT LESS LOVE_.

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

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

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

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

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

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

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

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

plural of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

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

From this reading _MORE FAITHFULNESS BUT LESS LOVE_.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

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

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

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

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

building reserved for the officiating clergy

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

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

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

in a reproving or reproachful manner

From this reading An' there was a Tummas even amang the Apostles,' (and here he glanced reproachfully at the Laird).

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

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

express in words

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

term of address for a man

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

with sternness; in a severe manner

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

the quality (as of scenery) being grim and gloomy and forbidding

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

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

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

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

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

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

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

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

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

in or at that place or location

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

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

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading 'Me, that's to say an' Mester Prittie there, or may be I suld say the Deacons' Court an' the Eldership, though they arena a' Israel that are _of_ Israel.

neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

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

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

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

From this reading An' there was a Tummas even amang the Apostles,' (and here he glanced reproachfully at the Laird).

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

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

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

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

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

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

a midwestern state in north central United States

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!

in the company of; together with

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

wither, as with a loss of moisture

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

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

From this reading 'We have been compelled, sir,' said Peter Malloch, and he fixed his eyes sternly on the tie of Roderick's cravat (he would have liked to frown into the face of the culprit, and to wither him up with the sternness of his regard, but the amused astonishment in his eyes was discomposing).

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

From this reading 'Aweel, sir, to come to the tail o' 't at ance, we hae just been haudin' a bit meetin' wi' the Presbytery, as ane micht say, or wi' twa o' the ministers ony gate, to consider yer terrible on-gaein's, Mester Brown!