used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Roderick and his family occupied a cottage in the vicinity of the Tower.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
attachmentsnounUS /əˈtætʃmənts/
plural of “attachment” — a feeling of affection for a person or an institution
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
capricenounUS /kəˈpriːs/
a sudden desire
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
captivitynounUS /kæpˈtɪvəti/
the state of being imprisoned
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
CatherinenounUS /ˈkæθərən/
first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)
From this reading He was engaged as ploughman by Mrs. Catherine Douglas.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
clingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
confinedadjectiveUS /kənˈfaɪnd/
not invading healthy tissue
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
a small house with a single story
From this reading Roderick and his family occupied a cottage in the vicinity of the Tower.
dispersionnounUS /dɪˈspɜːrʒən/
spreading widely or driving off
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
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 He was engaged as ploughman by Mrs. Catherine Douglas.
DuncannounUS /ˈdʌŋkən/
United States dancer and pioneer of modern dance (1878-1927)
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
move gently or carefully
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading He was engaged as ploughman by Mrs. Catherine Douglas.
a social unit living together
From this reading Roderick and his family occupied a cottage in the vicinity of the Tower.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
farmsnounUS /fɑːrmz/
plural of “farm” — workplace consisting of farm buildings and cultivated land as a unit
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
Ferguson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was engaged as ploughman by Mrs. Catherine Douglas.
hiredadjectiveUS /ˈhaɪərd/
having services engaged for a fee
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Roderick and his family occupied a cottage in the vicinity of the Tower.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Roderick and his family occupied a cottage in the vicinity of the Tower.
JewsnounUS /dʒuːz/
plural of “jew” — a person belonging to the worldwide group claiming descent from Jacob (or converted to it) and connected by cultural or religious ties
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
laborersnounUS /ˈleɪbərərz/
plural of “laborer” — someone who works with their hands; someone engaged in manual labor
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
limitsnounUS /ˈlɪməts/
plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
localadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkəl/
relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
Lochend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
Loelyin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
Macalpines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
majoritynounUS /məˈdʒɔːrəti/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
engage in
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
a form of address for a man
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading He was engaged as ploughman by Mrs. Catherine Douglas.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
held or filled or in use
From this reading Roderick and his family occupied a cottage in the vicinity of the Tower.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
ploughmannoun
a man who plows
From this reading He was engaged as ploughman by Mrs. Catherine Douglas.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
restlessadjectiveUS /ˈrestləs/
worried and uneasy
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
revolutionnounUS /ˌrevəˈluːʃən/
a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
Roderick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Roderick and his family occupied a cottage in the vicinity of the Tower.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading Roderick and his family occupied a cottage in the vicinity of the Tower.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading Roderick and his family occupied a cottage in the vicinity of the Tower.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was engaged as ploughman by Mrs. Catherine Douglas.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading By the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson's farms of Loelyin and Lochend.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Big Duncan remained with his people--their houses were now far apart--they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change.
