Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

hate coupled with disgust

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

in addition

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

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

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

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

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

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

From this reading Patsy's stiff face as he repelled the gossips was a sight to see.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

plural of “better” — something superior in quality or condition or effect

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

make a strident sound

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

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

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

a small house with a single story

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

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

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

past form of “embark” — go on board

From this reading Those who tried to pump Patsy Kenny about these matters embarked, and they knew it, on perilous seas.

divisible by two

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

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

From this reading Patsy's stiff face as he repelled the gossips was a sight to see.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

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

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

light informal conversation for social occasions

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

plural of “gossip” — light informal conversation for social occasions

From this reading Patsy's stiff face as he repelled the gossips was a sight to see.

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

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

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

From this reading Patsy's stiff face as he repelled the gossips was a sight to see.

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

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

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

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

beyond normal limits

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

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

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Those who tried to pump Patsy Kenny about these matters embarked, and they knew it, on perilous seas.

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

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Those who tried to pump Patsy Kenny about these matters embarked, and they knew it, on perilous seas.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

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

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

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 Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Those who tried to pump Patsy Kenny about these matters embarked, and they knew it, on perilous seas.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

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 SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

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

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Those who tried to pump Patsy Kenny about these matters embarked, and they knew it, on perilous seas.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

the state of being a parent

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

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

From this reading Patsy's stiff face as he repelled the gossips was a sight to see.

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

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

possessive form of “people” — (plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

fraught with danger

From this reading Those who tried to pump Patsy Kenny about these matters embarked, and they knew it, on perilous seas.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

operate like a pump; move up and down, like a handle or a pedal

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

the reestablishing of cordial relations

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

inflected form of “repel” — cause to move back by force or influence

From this reading Patsy's stiff face as he repelled the gossips was a sight to see.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Those who tried to pump Patsy Kenny about these matters embarked, and they knew it, on perilous seas.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Patsy's stiff face as he repelled the gossips was a sight to see.

plural of “see” — the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

United States dancer and choreographer who collaborated with Ruth Saint Denis (1891-1972)

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Patsy's stiff face as he repelled the gossips was a sight to see.

term of address for a man

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

United States minimalist painter (born in 1936)

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

not moving or operating freely

From this reading Patsy's stiff face as he repelled the gossips was a sight to see.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

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

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

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

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Those who tried to pump Patsy Kenny about these matters embarked, and they knew it, on perilous seas.

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

From this reading Those who tried to pump Patsy Kenny about these matters embarked, and they knew it, on perilous seas.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Those who tried to pump Patsy Kenny about these matters embarked, and they knew it, on perilous seas.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

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

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

plural of “trifle” — a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

precisely as stated

From this reading Many a one had tried to pump Patsy,--the people had an inordinate curiosity about their "betters"--and of late tongues had been very busy with the return of Mrs. Comerford and the reconciliation with Lady O'Gara: also with Miss Stella and her parentage.

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

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

a steep descent of the water of a river

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."

which person or people

From this reading Those who tried to pump Patsy Kenny about these matters embarked, and they knew it, on perilous seas.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There was "a blast of talk" even about trifles among the country-people, from whom Patsy kept his distance with an abhorrence of gossip and curiosity about other people's business.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading SIR SHAWN SEES A GHOST "There's a blast o' talk goin' through the place like an earthquake," said Patsy Kenny to Sir Shawn, "that the little cottage down by the waterfall is took by a stranger woman."