used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
Allan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Allan Ramsay.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
aughtnounUS /ɔːt/
a quantity of no importance
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
Bairns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
blastverbUS /blæst/
make a strident sound
From this reading This shields the other frae the eastlin blast, That in return defends it frae the west.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
a woman who has recently been married
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
bridegroomnounUS /ˈbraɪdɡruːm/
a man who has recently been married
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
commissionsnounUS /kəˈmɪʃənz/
plural of “commission” — a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
defendsverbUS /dɪˈfendz/
third-person singular of “defend” — argue or speak in defense of
From this reading This shields the other frae the eastlin blast, That in return defends it frae the west.
eastlin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This shields the other frae the eastlin blast, That in return defends it frae the west.
elmsnounUS /elmz/
plural of “elm” — any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
accept an excuse for
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
firmeradjectiveUS /ˈfɜːrmər/
comparative of “firm” — marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
set up or found
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
frae
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This shields the other frae the eastlin blast, That in return defends it frae the west.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
ilka
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This shields the other frae the eastlin blast, That in return defends it frae the west.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
for more time
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
engage in
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
needle-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
not any; not one
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading This shields the other frae the eastlin blast, That in return defends it frae the west.
Otley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
performverbUS /pərˈfɔːrm/
carry out or perform an action
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
compacted by ironing
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
Ramsay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Allan Ramsay.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading This shields the other frae the eastlin blast, That in return defends it frae the west.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
shieldsnounUS /ʃiːldz/
plural of “shield” — a protective covering or structure
From this reading This shields the other frae the eastlin blast, That in return defends it frae the west.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
spreadingnounUS /ˈspredɪŋ/
process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
spyverbUS /spaɪ/
catch sight of
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
not in physical motion
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
express a supposition
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
Susan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
syne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
they've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This shields the other frae the eastlin blast, That in return defends it frae the west.
tienounUS /taɪ/
neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
up to a particular time
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
Turnholme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
twa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Bairns, and their bairns, make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading This shields the other frae the eastlin blast, That in return defends it frae the west.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
worsted-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Mr. Otley had no longer any commissions to perform at Turnholme for Susan, her worsted-work having given place to her former occupation of needle-work, still he found many an excuse for calling.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
a late time of life
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
yonadjectiveUS /jɑːn/
distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)
From this reading See yon twa elms that grow up side by side: Suppose them, some years syne, bridegroom and bride; Nearer and nearer ilka year they've pressed, Till wide their spreading branches have increased.
