Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

a component that is added to something to improve it

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

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

From this reading "Yes, madam; an it please you, I will conduct you to her, 'tis but a step beyond the royal suite."

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

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

react verbally

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

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

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

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

From this reading She made him a sign of assent, and followed him slowly, as if musingly.

agreement with a statement or proposal to do something

From this reading She made him a sign of assent, and followed him slowly, as if musingly.

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

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading "Yes, madam; an it please you, I will conduct you to her, 'tis but a step beyond the royal suite."

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

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

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading "Yes, madam; an it please you, I will conduct you to her, 'tis but a step beyond the royal suite."

female equivalent of a count or earl

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

past form of “escort” — accompany as an escort

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

divisible by two

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

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

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading She made him a sign of assent, and followed him slowly, as if musingly.

a group of followers or enthusiasts

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

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

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

an old form of “has”

From this reading "And hath she lodging within the palace?"

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

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading She made him a sign of assent, and followed him slowly, as if musingly.

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

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Yes, madam; an it please you, I will conduct you to her, 'tis but a step beyond the royal suite."

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading She made him a sign of assent, and followed him slowly, as if musingly.

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

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

a message received and understood

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Yes, madam; an it please you, I will conduct you to her, 'tis but a step beyond the royal suite."

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

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

structures collectively in which people are housed

From this reading "And hath she lodging within the palace?"

a woman of refinement

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading She made him a sign of assent, and followed him slowly, as if musingly.

in a reflective manner

From this reading She made him a sign of assent, and followed him slowly, as if musingly.

an old word for “no”

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

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

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading "And hath she lodging within the palace?"

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading "Yes, madam; an it please you, I will conduct you to her, 'tis but a step beyond the royal suite."

capable of happening or existing

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

possessive form of “queen” — the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

plural of “retainer” — a fee charged in advance to retain the services of someone

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch

From this reading "Yes, madam; an it please you, I will conduct you to her, 'tis but a step beyond the royal suite."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

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

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

only a very short time before

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

older; higher in rank; longer in length of tenure or service

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading She made him a sign of assent, and followed him slowly, as if musingly.

term of address for a man

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading She made him a sign of assent, and followed him slowly, as if musingly.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "Indeed, madam, 'tis even so; she arrived but now, escorted by Sir Robert Keith and his followers, in addition to some fifty of the retainers of Buchan."

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading "Yes, madam; an it please you, I will conduct you to her, 'tis but a step beyond the royal suite."

not in physical motion

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

a musical composition of several movements only loosely connected

From this reading "Yes, madam; an it please you, I will conduct you to her, 'tis but a step beyond the royal suite."

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

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

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

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Yes, madam; an it please you, I will conduct you to her, 'tis but a step beyond the royal suite."

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading "And hath she lodging within the palace?"

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.

an affirmative

From this reading "Yes, madam; an it please you, I will conduct you to her, 'tis but a step beyond the royal suite."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Yes, madam; an it please you, I will conduct you to her, 'tis but a step beyond the royal suite."

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading "Buchan! the Countess of Buchan, sayest thou, Athelbert? nay, 'tis scarce possible," said a fair and noble-looking woman, still in the bloom of life, though early youth had passed, pausing on her way to the queen's apartment, to answer some information given by the senior page.