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 He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

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

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

feeling or showing anger

From this reading She rose in a nervous flutter when she saw him; yet needlessly shrill in her defence, because she was angry at detection.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "At your novelles?" said he.

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

From this reading "Ay, woman; will it be a good story?"

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

From this reading "Ay, woman; will it be a good story?"

for the reason that

From this reading She rose in a nervous flutter when she saw him; yet needlessly shrill in her defence, because she was angry at detection.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires

From this reading She rose in a nervous flutter when she saw him; yet needlessly shrill in her defence, because she was angry at detection.

the perception that something has occurred or some state exists

From this reading She rose in a nervous flutter when she saw him; yet needlessly shrill in her defence, because she was angry at detection.

move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading She rose in a nervous flutter when she saw him; yet needlessly shrill in her defence, because she was angry at detection.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Gourlay went swiftly to the kitchen from the inner yard.

negligent of neatness especially in dress and person; habitually dirty and unkempt

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "Ay, woman; will it be a good story?"

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

From this reading Gourlay went swiftly to the kitchen from the inner yard.

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

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

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

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

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

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

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

From this reading She rose in a nervous flutter when she saw him; yet needlessly shrill in her defence, because she was angry at detection.

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

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

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

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

located inward

From this reading Gourlay went swiftly to the kitchen from the inner yard.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Ay, woman; will it be a good story?"

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading Gourlay went swiftly to the kitchen from the inner yard.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

without need

From this reading She rose in a nervous flutter when she saw him; yet needlessly shrill in her defence, because she was angry at detection.

easily agitated

From this reading She rose in a nervous flutter when she saw him; yet needlessly shrill in her defence, because she was angry at detection.

making no sound

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

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

From this reading "At your novelles?" said he.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

above and across; more than

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

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

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

reading carefully with intent to remember

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading She rose in a nervous flutter when she saw him; yet needlessly shrill in her defence, because she was angry at detection.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "At your novelles?" said he.

cut with a saw

From this reading She rose in a nervous flutter when she saw him; yet needlessly shrill in her defence, because she was angry at detection.

being very thin

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

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

From this reading She rose in a nervous flutter when she saw him; yet needlessly shrill in her defence, because she was angry at detection.

having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones

From this reading She rose in a nervous flutter when she saw him; yet needlessly shrill in her defence, because she was angry at detection.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

characteristic of or befitting a slut or slattern; used especially of women

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading "Ay, woman; will it be a good story?"

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

in a swift manner

From this reading Gourlay went swiftly to the kitchen from the inner yard.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

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

From this reading Gourlay went swiftly to the kitchen from the inner yard.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

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

From this reading Gourlay went swiftly to the kitchen from the inner yard.

a dirty untidy woman

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

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

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Gourlay went swiftly to the kitchen from the inner yard.

at the time that

From this reading She rose in a nervous flutter when she saw him; yet needlessly shrill in her defence, because she was angry at detection.

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

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Ay, woman; will it be a good story?"

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading He had stood so long in silence on the step, and his coming was so noiseless, that he surprised a long, thin trollop of a woman, with a long, thin, scraggy neck, seated by the slatternly table, and busy with a frowsy paper-covered volume, over which her head was bent in intent perusal.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading Gourlay went swiftly to the kitchen from the inner yard.

but in spite of that

From this reading She rose in a nervous flutter when she saw him; yet needlessly shrill in her defence, because she was angry at detection.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "At your novelles?" said he.