Chapter III

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

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

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

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

completing its life cycle within a year

From this reading A mile or two south of Dublin is Donnybrook, the place where a famous annual fair is held.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At first, her voice rang out clear and full, but soon it faltered and failed, and sunk lower and lower.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

fearless and daring

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At first, her voice rang out clear and full, but soon it faltered and failed, and sunk lower and lower.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

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

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

rid of obstructions

From this reading At first, her voice rang out clear and full, but soon it faltered and failed, and sunk lower and lower.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

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

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

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

From this reading Donnybrook THE LITTLE FIDDLER.

capital and largest city and major port of the Irish Republic

From this reading A mile or two south of Dublin is Donnybrook, the place where a famous annual fair is held.

in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading At first, her voice rang out clear and full, but soon it faltered and failed, and sunk lower and lower.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading A mile or two south of Dublin is Donnybrook, the place where a famous annual fair is held.

past form of “falter” — be unsure or weak

From this reading At first, her voice rang out clear and full, but soon it faltered and failed, and sunk lower and lower.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading A mile or two south of Dublin is Donnybrook, the place where a famous annual fair is held.

a musician who plays the violin

From this reading Donnybrook THE LITTLE FIDDLER.

plural of “fighter” — someone who fights (or is fighting)

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading At first, her voice rang out clear and full, but soon it faltered and failed, and sunk lower and lower.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

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

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading At first, her voice rang out clear and full, but soon it faltered and failed, and sunk lower and lower.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

arranged into groups

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

only a very short time before

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading A mile or two south of Dublin is Donnybrook, the place where a famous annual fair is held.

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

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

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

From this reading A mile or two south of Dublin is Donnybrook, the place where a famous annual fair is held.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

a person who rules or guides or inspires others

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

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

From this reading Donnybrook THE LITTLE FIDDLER.

plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading At first, her voice rang out clear and full, but soon it faltered and failed, and sunk lower and lower.

a quiet song intended to lull a child to sleep

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading A mile or two south of Dublin is Donnybrook, the place where a famous annual fair is held.

past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

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

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A mile or two south of Dublin is Donnybrook, the place where a famous annual fair is held.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading At first, her voice rang out clear and full, but soon it faltered and failed, and sunk lower and lower.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading A mile or two south of Dublin is Donnybrook, the place where a famous annual fair is held.

inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading At first, her voice rang out clear and full, but soon it faltered and failed, and sunk lower and lower.

-ing form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

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

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

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

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

in the near future

From this reading At first, her voice rang out clear and full, but soon it faltered and failed, and sunk lower and lower.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading A mile or two south of Dublin is Donnybrook, the place where a famous annual fair is held.

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

doomed to extinction

From this reading At first, her voice rang out clear and full, but soon it faltered and failed, and sunk lower and lower.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

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

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

up to a particular time

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

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

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

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

From this reading A mile or two south of Dublin is Donnybrook, the place where a famous annual fair is held.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading At first, her voice rang out clear and full, but soon it faltered and failed, and sunk lower and lower.

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

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

in or at the place that

From this reading A mile or two south of Dublin is Donnybrook, the place where a famous annual fair is held.

a Caucasian

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It was a strange sight to see,--that dying woman, rocking herself back and forth, and singing that wild lullaby, with her staring servitors and grim old fighters grouped around her, hardly able to believe that this was indeed their haughty mistress, their brave leader, their bold sea-captain.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading And lower and lower sunk the head of the old chieftainess, till her long white locks mingled with the dark curls of the young lord; then her voice ceased altogether, and her forehead lay heavy and cold against his, and he knew that Grace O'Malley was dead.