Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

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

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading That’s the blood; it’s the common understanding among ourselves.

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

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

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

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

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

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

forbidden by law

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

formed or made thin by hammering

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading That’s the blood; it’s the common understanding among ourselves.

having or covered with or accompanied by blood

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

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

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

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

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

group of people related by blood or marriage

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

plural of “clan” — group of people related by blood or marriage

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading That’s the blood; it’s the common understanding among ourselves.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

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

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

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

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

divisible by two

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

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

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

planned and made or fashioned artistically

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

try to manage without help

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

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

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

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

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

a district in southwestern Scotland

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

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

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

weapon consisting of a fighting ax; used by North American Indians

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

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

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

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

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

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

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

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

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

free from evil or guilt

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

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

From this reading That’s the blood; it’s the common understanding among ourselves.

a native or inhabitant of Italy

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

plural of “kern” — United States composer of musical comedies (1885-1945)

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

a Scottish church

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

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

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

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

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

plural of “marauder” — someone who attacks in search of booty

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

used to form the superlative

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

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

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

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

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading That’s the blood; it’s the common understanding among ourselves.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

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

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

a person who does not acknowledge your god

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

by chance

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

a full supply

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

superlative of “poor” — deserving or inciting pity

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

assume a prim appearance

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

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

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

cut with sweeping strokes; as with an ax or machete

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

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

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

deeply or completely

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

express in speech

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

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

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

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

From this reading That’s the blood; it’s the common understanding among ourselves.

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

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

push forcefully

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

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

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

used of persons or their behavior; feeling no shame

From this reading But we were never such thieves and marauders, caterans bloody and unashamed, as the Galloway kerns and the Northmen, and in all my time we had plenty to do to fend our straths against reivers and cattle-drovers from the bad clans round about us.

the cognitive condition of someone who understands

From this reading That’s the blood; it’s the common understanding among ourselves.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

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

From this reading Of course Clan MacNicoll was brought to book for this frolic on Inneraora fair-day, banned by Kirk, and soundly beaten by the Doomster in name of law.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

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

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.

in the company of; together with

From this reading We are not, I admit it, fashioned on the prim style of London dandies and Italian fops; we are--the poorest of us--coarse a little at the hide, too quick, perhaps, to slash out with knife or hatchet, and over-ready to carry the most innocent argument the dire length of a thrust with the sword.

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

From this reading To read some books I’ve read, one would think our Gaels in the time I speak of, and even now, were pagan and savage.