Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

past form of “adhere” — be compatible or in accordance with

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

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

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

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

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

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

From this reading "What can be worse, Than to dwell here!"

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

cause to be bored

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "What can be worse, Than to dwell here!"

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

past form of “construct” — make by combining materials and parts

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

United States politician who proposed that individual territories be allowed to decide whether they would have slavery; he engaged in a famous series of debates with Abraham Lincoln (1813-1861)

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading "What can be worse, Than to dwell here!"

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading At the entrance of the stranger a flock of females rushed forward to meet them.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

a social unit living together

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

plural of “female” — an animal that produces gametes (ova) that can be fertilized by male gametes

From this reading At the entrance of the stranger a flock of females rushed forward to meet them.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

start firing a weapon

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

a church congregation guided by a pastor

From this reading At the entrance of the stranger a flock of females rushed forward to meet them.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading At the entrance of the stranger a flock of females rushed forward to meet them.

plural of “frame” — the framework for a pair of eyeglasses

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

the state of being friends (or friendly)

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

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

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

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

From this reading "What can be worse, Than to dwell here!"

having a high back

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

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

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

set afire

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

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

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

come together

From this reading At the entrance of the stranger a flock of females rushed forward to meet them.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

very recently

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

not any; not one

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

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

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

in a dogged and pertinacious manner

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

bring forth or yield

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

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

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

done under pressure

From this reading At the entrance of the stranger a flock of females rushed forward to meet them.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

lacking in magnitude or quantity

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

the display of a motion picture

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

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

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

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

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

not in physical motion

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

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

From this reading At the entrance of the stranger a flock of females rushed forward to meet them.

support oneself

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "What can be worse, Than to dwell here!"

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

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

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At the entrance of the stranger a flock of females rushed forward to meet them.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

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

From this reading "What can be worse, Than to dwell here!"

impressive by reason of age

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

a hole for the escape of gas or air

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

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

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What can be worse, Than to dwell here!"

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

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading A fire, which appeared to have been newly kindled, was beginning to burn, but, previous to showing itself in flame, had chosen to vent itself in smoke, with which the room was completely filled, and the open windows seemed to produce no other effect than that of admitting the rain and wind.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

in the company of; together with

From this reading _Paradise Lost._ IT was a long, narrow, low-roofed room, with a number of small windows, that admitted feeble lights in every possible direction.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The scanty furniture bore every appearance of having been constructed at the same time as the edifice; and the friendship thus early formed still seemed to subsist, as the high-backed worked chairs adhered most pertinaciously to the gray walls, on which hung, in narrow black frames, some of the venerable ancestors of the Douglas family.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading "What can be worse, Than to dwell here!"