used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
Abercorn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
acquiredadjectiveUS /əˈkwaɪərd/
gotten through environmental forces
From this reading Walter Colville had acquired this small estate by the usual title to possession in the days in which he lived.
adherentsnounUS /ædˈhɪrənts/
plural of “adherent” — someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
Balmeny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
bannernounUS /ˈbænər/
long strip of cloth or paper used for decoration or advertising
From this reading When a mere stripling, he had followed the latest Earl of Douglas, when the banner of the bloody heart floated defiance to the Royal Stuart.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
bloodyadjectiveUS /ˈblʌdi/
having or covered with or accompanied by blood
From this reading When a mere stripling, he had followed the latest Earl of Douglas, when the banner of the bloody heart floated defiance to the Royal Stuart.
bowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
bravestadjectiveUS /ˈbreɪvəst/
superlative of “brave” — possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
Cadzow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
Colville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
considerablyadverbUS /kənˈsɪdərəbli/
to a great extent or degree
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Walter Colville had acquired this small estate by the usual title to possession in the days in which he lived.
defiancenounUS /dɪˈfaɪəns/
intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude
From this reading When a mere stripling, he had followed the latest Earl of Douglas, when the banner of the bloody heart floated defiance to the Royal Stuart.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
disastrousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzæstrəs/
(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
disdainverbUS /dɪsˈdeɪn/
look down on with disdain
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
DouglasnounUS /ˈdʌɡləs/
United States politician who proposed that individual territories be allowed to decide whether they would have slavery; he engaged in a famous series of debates with Abraham Lincoln (1813-1861)
From this reading When a mere stripling, he had followed the latest Earl of Douglas, when the banner of the bloody heart floated defiance to the Royal Stuart.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading When a mere stripling, he had followed the latest Earl of Douglas, when the banner of the bloody heart floated defiance to the Royal Stuart.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading He was rewarded with the hand of the heiress of Balmeny, then a ward of Colville of East Wemyss.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
From this reading Walter Colville had acquired this small estate by the usual title to possession in the days in which he lived.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
FifenounUS /faɪf/
a small high-pitched flute similar to a piccolo; has a shrill tone and is used chiefly to accompany drums in a marching band
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading When a mere stripling, he had followed the latest Earl of Douglas, when the banner of the bloody heart floated defiance to the Royal Stuart.
Floddennoun
a hill in Northumberland where the invading Scots were defeated by the English in 1513
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading When a mere stripling, he had followed the latest Earl of Douglas, when the banner of the bloody heart floated defiance to the Royal Stuart.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He was rewarded with the hand of the heiress of Balmeny, then a ward of Colville of East Wemyss.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Walter Colville had acquired this small estate by the usual title to possession in the days in which he lived.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading When a mere stripling, he had followed the latest Earl of Douglas, when the banner of the bloody heart floated defiance to the Royal Stuart.
heiressnounUS /ˈerəs/
a female heir
From this reading He was rewarded with the hand of the heiress of Balmeny, then a ward of Colville of East Wemyss.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
the act of retaining something
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading When a mere stripling, he had followed the latest Earl of Douglas, when the banner of the bloody heart floated defiance to the Royal Stuart.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Walter Colville had acquired this small estate by the usual title to possession in the days in which he lived.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading When a mere stripling, he had followed the latest Earl of Douglas, when the banner of the bloody heart floated defiance to the Royal Stuart.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading Walter Colville had acquired this small estate by the usual title to possession in the days in which he lived.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
prostrated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
rewardedverbUS /rɪˈwɔːrdɪd/
past form of “reward” — bestow honor or rewards upon
From this reading He was rewarded with the hand of the heiress of Balmeny, then a ward of Colville of East Wemyss.
RoyaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading When a mere stripling, he had followed the latest Earl of Douglas, when the banner of the bloody heart floated defiance to the Royal Stuart.
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Walter Colville had acquired this small estate by the usual title to possession in the days in which he lived.
striplingnounUS /ˈstrɪplɪŋ/
a juvenile between the onset of puberty and maturity
From this reading When a mere stripling, he had followed the latest Earl of Douglas, when the banner of the bloody heart floated defiance to the Royal Stuart.
StuartnounUS /ˈstuːərt/
United States painter best known for his portraits of George Washington (1755-1828)
From this reading When a mere stripling, he had followed the latest Earl of Douglas, when the banner of the bloody heart floated defiance to the Royal Stuart.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Walter Colville had acquired this small estate by the usual title to possession in the days in which he lived.
a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
From this reading Walter Colville had acquired this small estate by the usual title to possession in the days in which he lived.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Walter Colville had acquired this small estate by the usual title to possession in the days in which he lived.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Walter Colville had acquired this small estate by the usual title to possession in the days in which he lived.
German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
wardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading He was rewarded with the hand of the heiress of Balmeny, then a ward of Colville of East Wemyss.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
waveringnounUS /ˈweɪvərɪŋ/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading But the wavering conduct of Earl James lost him at Abercorn the bravest of his adherents, and Walter Colville did not disdain to follow the example of the Knight of Cadzow.
Wemyss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was rewarded with the hand of the heiress of Balmeny, then a ward of Colville of East Wemyss.
at the time that
From this reading When a mere stripling, he had followed the latest Earl of Douglas, when the banner of the bloody heart floated defiance to the Royal Stuart.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Walter Colville had acquired this small estate by the usual title to possession in the days in which he lived.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was rewarded with the hand of the heiress of Balmeny, then a ward of Colville of East Wemyss.
a late time of life
From this reading A few years before the pride of Scotland had been prostrated by English bows and bills, on the disastrous day of Flodden, the holding of Balmeny, in the county of Fife, was possessed by Walter Colville, then considerably advanced in years.
