used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
abandoningverbUS /əˈbændənɪŋ/
-ing form of “abandon” — forsake, leave behind
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Surely to take and withhold from any woman her child, must be to do what was possible toward dividing her from the unseen and eternal!
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
appropriatingverbUS /əˈproʊprieɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “appropriate” — give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
assurancenounUS /əˈʃʊrəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
a youthful male person
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
a young person of either sex
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
deliberatelyadverbUS /dɪˈlɪbərətli/
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
deprivingverbUS /dɪˈpraɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “deprive” — take away possessions from someone
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
dividingverbUS /dɪˈvaɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “divide” — separate into parts or portions
From this reading Surely to take and withhold from any woman her child, must be to do what was possible toward dividing her from the unseen and eternal!
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Surely to take and withhold from any woman her child, must be to do what was possible toward dividing her from the unseen and eternal!
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
an opposing military force
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading Surely to take and withhold from any woman her child, must be to do what was possible toward dividing her from the unseen and eternal!
exercisedverbUS /ˈeksərsaɪzd/
past form of “exercise” — put to use
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
exhaustiveadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪv/
performed comprehensively and completely; not superficial or partial
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
findernounUS /ˈfaɪndər/
someone who comes upon something after searching
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
the quality of being humane
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
a search for knowledge
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
justifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪd/
having words so spaced that lines have straight even margins
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
liberateverbUS /ˈlɪbɜːreɪt/
give equal rights to; of women and minorities
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
linkverbUS /lɪŋk/
make a logical or causal connection
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
love-property
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
Maggie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Surely to take and withhold from any woman her child, must be to do what was possible toward dividing her from the unseen and eternal!
not any; not one
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
not one thing; not anything
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
paternaladjectiveUS /pəˈtɜːrnəl/
belonging to or inherited from one's father
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Surely to take and withhold from any woman her child, must be to do what was possible toward dividing her from the unseen and eternal!
re-appropriate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
regardingverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
not used up
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
rescueverbUS /ˈreskjuː/
free from harm or evil
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
restoringverbUS /rɪˈstɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
precisely, exactly
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
soutar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Surely to take and withhold from any woman her child, must be to do what was possible toward dividing her from the unseen and eternal!
carry out
From this reading Surely to take and withhold from any woman her child, must be to do what was possible toward dividing her from the unseen and eternal!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
in or at that place or location
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
a special situation
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Surely to take and withhold from any woman her child, must be to do what was possible toward dividing her from the unseen and eternal!
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
unseenadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːn/
not seen or perceived
From this reading Surely to take and withhold from any woman her child, must be to do what was possible toward dividing her from the unseen and eternal!
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading For nothing could liberate the finder of such a thing from the duty of restoring it upon demand, seeing there could be no assurance that the child had been deliberately and finally abandoned!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Surely to take and withhold from any woman her child, must be to do what was possible toward dividing her from the unseen and eternal!
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Maggie, indeed, regarded the baby as absolutely hers by right of rescue; but her father asked himself whether by appropriating him she might not be depriving his mother of the one remaining link between her and humanity, and so abandoning her helpless to the Enemy.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the meantime the said child, a splendid boy, was the delight of the humble dwelling to which Maggie had borne him in triumph.
which person or people
From this reading But the mind of the soutar was not a little exercised as to how far their right in the boy approached the paternal: were they justified in regarding him as their love-property, before having made exhaustive inquiry as to who could claim, and might re-appropriate him?
withholdverbUS /wɪθˈhoʊld/
hold back; refuse to hand over or share
From this reading Surely to take and withhold from any woman her child, must be to do what was possible toward dividing her from the unseen and eternal!
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Surely to take and withhold from any woman her child, must be to do what was possible toward dividing her from the unseen and eternal!
