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 Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

lost in thought; showing preoccupation

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

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

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

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

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

the thing arranged or agreed to

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

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

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

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 His eyes were cold and keen, his features small, delicate, and regular.

lacking in variety and interest

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading His eyes were cold and keen, his features small, delicate, and regular.

plural of “distance” — the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

having a pattern of dots

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

construct, build, or erect

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

opinion or judgment

From this reading His eyes were cold and keen, his features small, delicate, and regular.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

a person who operates a farm

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading His eyes were cold and keen, his features small, delicate, and regular.

plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

provided with a frame

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

plural of “gable” — the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

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

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

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

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

a high place

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

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

From this reading His eyes were cold and keen, his features small, delicate, and regular.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

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

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading His eyes were cold and keen, his features small, delicate, and regular.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

a landowner

From this reading THE LAIRD.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

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

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

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

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

not divisible by two

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading His eyes were cold and keen, his features small, delicate, and regular.

past form of “reveal” — make visible

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

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

From this reading His eyes were cold and keen, his features small, delicate, and regular.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

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

From this reading THE LAIRD.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

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

From this reading Conducted by the lady, they passed round the house to the court, and across the court to a door in one of the gables.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

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

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

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

From this reading His eyes were cold and keen, his features small, delicate, and regular.

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

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was a low, narrow door, but large enough for the man that stood there--a little man, with colorless face, and quiet, abstracted look.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading He had an erect little back, and was dressed in a long-tailed coat, looking not much of a laird, and less of a farmer, as he stood framed in the gray stone wall, in which odd little windows, dotted here and there at all heights and distances, revealed a wonderful arrangement of floors and rooms inside.