adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
agentnounUS /ˈeɪdʒənt/
an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
ALAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am but a plain man, Mr. Fairford; but I hope you understand me?’
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
apartmentnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənt/
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are my auld friend your father’s son.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
auldadjectiveUS /ɔːld/
a Scottish word
From this reading ‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are my auld friend your father’s son.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading ‘I believe you mean me well, provost; and I am sure,’ replied Fairford, ‘you can never better show your kindness than on this occasion.’
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading ‘I believe you mean me well, provost; and I am sure,’ replied Fairford, ‘you can never better show your kindness than on this occasion.’
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
burghnoun
a borough in Scotland
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading ‘I believe you mean me well, provost; and I am sure,’ replied Fairford, ‘you can never better show your kindness than on this occasion.’
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
CONTINUEDadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːd/
without stop or interruption
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
councilnounUS /ˈkaʊnsəl/
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
creepsnounUS /kriːps/
a disease of cattle and sheep attributed to a dietary deficiency; characterized by anemia and softening of the bones and a slow stiff gait
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
dealverbUS /diːl/
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
deprivedadjectiveUS /dɪˈpraɪvd/
marked by deprivation especially of the necessities of life or healthful environmental influences
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
FAIRFORD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading ‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are my auld friend your father’s son.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading ‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are my auld friend your father’s son.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading ‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are my auld friend your father’s son.
guestnounUS /ɡest/
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are my auld friend your father’s son.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
hitchedverbUS /hɪtʃt/
past form of “hitch” — to hook or entangle
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
hopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading I am but a plain man, Mr. Fairford; but I hope you understand me?’
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I am but a plain man, Mr. Fairford; but I hope you understand me?’
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are my auld friend your father’s son.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
kindnessnounUS /ˈkaɪndnəs/
the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
From this reading ‘I believe you mean me well, provost; and I am sure,’ replied Fairford, ‘you can never better show your kindness than on this occasion.’
ladnounUS /læd/
a boy or man
From this reading ‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are my auld friend your father’s son.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading I am but a plain man, Mr. Fairford; but I hope you understand me?’
MaxwellnounUS /ˈmækswel/
a cgs unit of magnetic flux equal to the flux perpendicular to an area of 1 square centimeter in a magnetic field of 1 gauss
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
meanverbUS /miːn/
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading ‘I believe you mean me well, provost; and I am sure,’ replied Fairford, ‘you can never better show your kindness than on this occasion.’
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading ‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are my auld friend your father’s son.
mousenounUS /maʊs/
any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading ‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are my auld friend your father’s son.
NARRATIVEnounUS /ˈnærətɪv/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading ‘I believe you mean me well, provost; and I am sure,’ replied Fairford, ‘you can never better show your kindness than on this occasion.’
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
obligationsnounUS /ˌɑːbləˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “obligation” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
occasionnounUS /əˈkeɪʒən/
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading ‘I believe you mean me well, provost; and I am sure,’ replied Fairford, ‘you can never better show your kindness than on this occasion.’
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
plainadjectiveUS /pleɪn/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading I am but a plain man, Mr. Fairford; but I hope you understand me?’
presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
provostnounUS /ˈproʊvoʊst/
a high-ranking university administrator
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
remainingadjectiveUS /rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/
not used up
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
repliedverbUS /rɪˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading ‘I believe you mean me well, provost; and I am sure,’ replied Fairford, ‘you can never better show your kindness than on this occasion.’
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading ‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are my auld friend your father’s son.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
showverbUS /ʃoʊ/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading ‘I believe you mean me well, provost; and I am sure,’ replied Fairford, ‘you can never better show your kindness than on this occasion.’
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
sonnounUS /sʌn/
a male human offspring
From this reading ‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are my auld friend your father’s son.
sooneradverbUS /ˈsuːnər/
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
startledadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtəld/
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
Summertrees's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading ‘I believe you mean me well, provost; and I am sure,’ replied Fairford, ‘you can never better show your kindness than on this occasion.’
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading I am but a plain man, Mr. Fairford; but I hope you understand me?’
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
warilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a wary manner
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading ‘I believe you mean me well, provost; and I am sure,’ replied Fairford, ‘you can never better show your kindness than on this occasion.’
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading ‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are my auld friend your father’s son.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
whispernounUS /ˈwɪspər/
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading Your father has been agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are my auld friend your father’s son.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are my auld friend your father’s son.
