Chapter XII

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

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury

From this reading BOB MEFFIN’S AMENDS.

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

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

the force by which one object attracts another

From this reading At the centre of attraction over the way maids and matrons took their turn in filling their cans and pitchers.

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

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

move up and down repeatedly

From this reading BOB MEFFIN’S AMENDS.

plural of “can” — airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.

From this reading At the centre of attraction over the way maids and matrons took their turn in filling their cans and pitchers.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading At the centre of attraction over the way maids and matrons took their turn in filling their cans and pitchers.

plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading Fourteen years passed--not without their changes.

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

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

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

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

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

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

the quality of excelling; possessing good qualities in high degree

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

widely known and esteemed

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

any material that fills a space or container

From this reading At the centre of attraction over the way maids and matrons took their turn in filling their cans and pitchers.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one

From this reading Fourteen years passed--not without their changes.

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to heat buildings, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc.

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

brought together in one place

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

an alert and refreshed state

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

lacking in physical beauty or proportion

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

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

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

plural of “knot” — a tight cluster of people or things

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

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

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

plural of “maid” — a female domestic

From this reading At the centre of attraction over the way maids and matrons took their turn in filling their cans and pitchers.

plural of “matron” — a married woman (usually middle-aged with children) who is staid and dignified

From this reading At the centre of attraction over the way maids and matrons took their turn in filling their cans and pitchers.

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

From this reading BOB MEFFIN’S AMENDS.

the force of workers available

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Fourteen years passed--not without their changes.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

above and across; more than

From this reading At the centre of attraction over the way maids and matrons took their turn in filling their cans and pitchers.

plural of “owner” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

a legislative assembly in certain countries

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Fourteen years passed--not without their changes.

plural of “pitcher” — (baseball) the person who does the pitching

From this reading At the centre of attraction over the way maids and matrons took their turn in filling their cans and pitchers.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

precisely, exactly

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

characteristic of rural life

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

wearing footgear

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

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

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

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

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

not permanent; not lasting

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

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

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Fourteen years passed--not without their changes.

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

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

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading At the centre of attraction over the way maids and matrons took their turn in filling their cans and pitchers.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading At the centre of attraction over the way maids and matrons took their turn in filling their cans and pitchers.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

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

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading At the centre of attraction over the way maids and matrons took their turn in filling their cans and pitchers.

(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 It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

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

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

at the time that

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

in or at the place that

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

during the time that

From this reading Horses were waiting to be shod round the smiddy door, while their temporary owners--dark figures in the ruddy glow of the furnace, prepared to hold their rustic parliament.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Fourteen years passed--not without their changes.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It was a fine frosty winter afternoon when two knots of homely men and women--forming two distinct coteries--were gathered at one end of Dalroy village, where, on the right side of the little street stood the Dalroy ‘smiddy,’ and on the left was ‘the smiddy well’--a dipping-in-well famous throughout the village for the excellence of its ‘tea-water.’

a late time of life

From this reading Fourteen years passed--not without their changes.