used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
addernounUS /ˈædər/
a person who adds numbers
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading "I am afraid she is rather a formidable person, then?" said Mary.
(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 "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I am afraid she is rather a formidable person, then?" said Mary.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading "Mrs. Violet Macshake is an aunt of my mother's, whom you must often have heard of, and the last remaining branch of the noble race of Girnachgowl."
Bailie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
bitingadjectiveUS /ˈbaɪtɪŋ/
capable of wounding
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading "Mrs. Violet Macshake is an aunt of my mother's, whom you must often have heard of, and the last remaining branch of the noble race of Girnachgowl."
a large and stately mansion
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
contumelynoun
a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
command with authority
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
DouglasnounUS /ˈdʌɡləs/
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 "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmədəbəl/
extremely impressive in strength or excellence
From this reading "I am afraid she is rather a formidable person, then?" said Mary.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
Girnachgowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mrs. Violet Macshake is an aunt of my mother's, whom you must often have heard of, and the last remaining branch of the noble race of Girnachgowl."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Mrs. Violet Macshake is an aunt of my mother's, whom you must often have heard of, and the last remaining branch of the noble race of Girnachgowl."
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading "Mrs. Violet Macshake is an aunt of my mother's, whom you must often have heard of, and the last remaining branch of the noble race of Girnachgowl."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her uncle hesitated.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading Her uncle hesitated.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
intercoursenounUS /ˈɪntərkɔːrs/
communication between individuals
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
introduceverbUS /ˌɪntrəˈduːs/
cause to come to know personally
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
JEREMY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
immediately past
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
Macshake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mrs. Violet Macshake is an aunt of my mother's, whom you must often have heard of, and the last remaining branch of the noble race of Girnachgowl."
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading "I am afraid she is rather a formidable person, then?" said Mary.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "Mrs. Violet Macshake is an aunt of my mother's, whom you must often have heard of, and the last remaining branch of the noble race of Girnachgowl."
a form of address for a man
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "Mrs. Violet Macshake is an aunt of my mother's, whom you must often have heard of, and the last remaining branch of the noble race of Girnachgowl."
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Mrs. Violet Macshake is an aunt of my mother's, whom you must often have heard of, and the last remaining branch of the noble race of Girnachgowl."
nature'snounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/
possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading "Mrs. Violet Macshake is an aunt of my mother's, whom you must often have heard of, and the last remaining branch of the noble race of Girnachgowl."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
many times at short intervals
From this reading "Mrs. Violet Macshake is an aunt of my mother's, whom you must often have heard of, and the last remaining branch of the noble race of Girnachgowl."
To move from a closed position.
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
a human being
From this reading "I am afraid she is rather a formidable person, then?" said Mary.
any competition
From this reading "Mrs. Violet Macshake is an aunt of my mother's, whom you must often have heard of, and the last remaining branch of the noble race of Girnachgowl."
on the contrary
From this reading "I am afraid she is rather a formidable person, then?" said Mary.
not used up
From this reading "Mrs. Violet Macshake is an aunt of my mother's, whom you must often have heard of, and the last remaining branch of the noble race of Girnachgowl."
reproofs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
scoldings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I am afraid she is rather a formidable person, then?" said Mary.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
TAYLORnounUS /ˈteɪlər/
United States composer and music critic (1885-1966)
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "I am afraid she is rather a formidable person, then?" said Mary.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading "Having a tongue rough as a cat, and biting like an adder, and all their reproofs are direct scoldings, their common intercourse is open contumely."--JEREMY TAYLOR.
in the direction of
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Her uncle hesitated.
VioletnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/
any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading "Mrs. Violet Macshake is an aunt of my mother's, whom you must often have heard of, and the last remaining branch of the noble race of Girnachgowl."
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Mrs. Violet Macshake is an aunt of my mother's, whom you must often have heard of, and the last remaining branch of the noble race of Girnachgowl."
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "THOUGH last, not least of nature's works, I must now introduce you to a friend of mine," said Mr. Douglas, as, the Bailie having made his bow, they bent their steps towards the Castle Hill.
