Chapter X · Chapter 10

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 coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

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

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

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

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

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

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading We will merely state that the conclusions to which the ladies came were very similar to those arrived at by the gentlemen.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading We refrain from giving the details, however, as it would be unpardonable to reveal such matters.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

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

From this reading We refrain from giving the details, however, as it would be unpardonable to reveal such matters.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

a mountain or tall hill

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

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

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But delay was still destined to be an element in the cup of this unfortunate couple.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading We will merely state that the conclusions to which the ladies came were very similar to those arrived at by the gentlemen.

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

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

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

From this reading We will merely state that the conclusions to which the ladies came were very similar to those arrived at by the gentlemen.

an event that might have been arranged although it was really accidental

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

plural of “conclusion” — a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading We will merely state that the conclusions to which the ladies came were very similar to those arrived at by the gentlemen.

plural of “consequence” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

-ing form of “converse” — carry on a conversation

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

a small house with a single story

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading But delay was still destined to be an element in the cup of this unfortunate couple.

a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle

From this reading But delay was still destined to be an element in the cup of this unfortunate couple.

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

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

cause to be slowed down or delayed

From this reading But delay was still destined to be an element in the cup of this unfortunate couple.

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

From this reading But delay was still destined to be an element in the cup of this unfortunate couple.

true confidential information

From this reading We refrain from giving the details, however, as it would be unpardonable to reveal such matters.

-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

an abstract part of something

From this reading But delay was still destined to be an element in the cup of this unfortunate couple.

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

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading We refrain from giving the details, however, as it would be unpardonable to reveal such matters.

an association of criminals

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

brought together in one place

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading We will merely state that the conclusions to which the ladies came were very similar to those arrived at by the gentlemen.

the act of giving

From this reading We refrain from giving the details, however, as it would be unpardonable to reveal such matters.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

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

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

the yield from plants in a single growing season

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading We refrain from giving the details, however, as it would be unpardonable to reveal such matters.

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

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

incapable of being resisted

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading We will merely state that the conclusions to which the ladies came were very similar to those arrived at by the gentlemen.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading We refrain from giving the details, however, as it would be unpardonable to reveal such matters.

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

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

the force of workers available

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

and nothing more

From this reading We will merely state that the conclusions to which the ladies came were very similar to those arrived at by the gentlemen.

plural of “mouse” — any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

one of the islands of Saint Christopher-Nevis

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

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

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

a treeless grassy plain

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

plural of “recall” — a request by the manufacturer of a defective product to return the product (as for replacement or repair)

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

resist doing something

From this reading We refrain from giving the details, however, as it would be unpardonable to reveal such matters.

make visible

From this reading We refrain from giving the details, however, as it would be unpardonable to reveal such matters.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

Identical; not different.

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

plural of “scheme” — an elaborate and systematic plan of action

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

the dialect of English used in Scotland

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

marked by correspondence or resemblance

From this reading We will merely state that the conclusions to which the ladies came were very similar to those arrived at by the gentlemen.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading We will merely state that the conclusions to which the ladies came were very similar to those arrived at by the gentlemen.

not in physical motion

From this reading But delay was still destined to be an element in the cup of this unfortunate couple.

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

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading We refrain from giving the details, however, as it would be unpardonable to reveal such matters.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

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

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

in or at that place or location

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

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

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading We will merely state that the conclusions to which the ladies came were very similar to those arrived at by the gentlemen.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

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

From this reading We refrain from giving the details, however, as it would be unpardonable to reveal such matters.

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

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune

From this reading But delay was still destined to be an element in the cup of this unfortunate couple.

not admitting of pardon

From this reading We refrain from giving the details, however, as it would be unpardonable to reveal such matters.

the topmost one of two

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

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

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We refrain from giving the details, however, as it would be unpardonable to reveal such matters.

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

From this reading It was a strange coincidence that at the very time these two were conversing on this subject in the verandah of Ben Nevis Hall, Mrs Davidson and Elspie were discussing the very same subject in an upper room of Prairie Cottage.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

at the time that

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

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

From this reading We will merely state that the conclusions to which the ladies came were very similar to those arrived at by the gentlemen.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading We will merely state that the conclusions to which the ladies came were very similar to those arrived at by the gentlemen.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

the words that are spoken

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."

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

From this reading We refrain from giving the details, however, as it would be unpardonable to reveal such matters.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading When the harvest had been gathered in that year, there came what old McKay called a visitation which, with its consequences, recalls irresistibly the words of our great Scottish poet--"the best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley."