Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading OF A STAIRHEAD AND A SEA-CAPTAIN.

a fit of shivering or shaking

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

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

From this reading OF A STAIRHEAD AND A SEA-CAPTAIN.

(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; brother of Peter; patron saint of Scotland

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

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

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

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

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

plural of “due” — that which is deserved or owed

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

the state of being employed or having a job

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

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

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

largest city in Scotland; a port on the Clyde in west central Scotland; one of the great shipbuilding centers of the world

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

feel grief

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

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

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

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

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

a single distinct event

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

owning or consisting of land or real estate

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

go away from a place

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

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

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

A terrifying or distressing dream.

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading OF A STAIRHEAD AND A SEA-CAPTAIN.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

logical or comprehensible arrangement of separate elements

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

the relation of an owner to the thing possessed; possession with the right to transfer possession to others

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

a fractional monetary unit of Ireland and the United Kingdom; equal to one hundredth of a pound

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

as fast as possible; with all possible haste

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

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

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

the state of being held in high esteem and honor

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

small Old World songbird with a reddish breast

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

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

From this reading OF A STAIRHEAD AND A SEA-CAPTAIN.

plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

try to get or reach

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

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

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

marked by practical hardheaded intelligence

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

platform at the top of a staircase

From this reading OF A STAIRHEAD AND A SEA-CAPTAIN.

a sudden outburst of anger

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

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

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

in or at that place or location

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

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

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

a booth at a tollgate where the toll collector collects tolls

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

past form of “trade” — engage in the trade of

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

disposed to venture or take risks

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

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

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

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

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Her one brother, Andrew Sempill, from whom I was named, was a merchant in Glasgow, the owner of three ships that traded to the Western Seas, and by repute a man of a shrewd and venturesome temper.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading A week later I got word that my father was dead of an ague in the Low Countries, and I had to be off post-haste to Auchencairn to see to the ordering of our little estate.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading We were destined to be bitter poor, what with dues and regalities incident on the passing of the ownership, and I thought it best to leave my mother to farm it, with the help of Robin Gilfillan the grieve, and seek employment which would bring me an honest penny.

a late time of life

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading With the escapade that landed me in the Tolbooth there came an end to the nightmare years of my first youth.