used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She did not look incompetent; nay, about her there was a fine strength and courage, in her wide grey-blue eyes an undaunted spirit.
Achree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She did not look incompetent; nay, about her there was a fine strength and courage, in her wide grey-blue eyes an undaunted spirit.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading "For ours beyond the gate, The deep things, the untold, We only wait."
breachverbUS /briːtʃ/
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading She did not look incompetent; nay, about her there was a fine strength and courage, in her wide grey-blue eyes an undaunted spirit.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading "For ours beyond the gate, The deep things, the untold, We only wait."
destinynounUS /ˈdestəni/
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She did not look incompetent; nay, about her there was a fine strength and courage, in her wide grey-blue eyes an undaunted spirit.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She did not look incompetent; nay, about her there was a fine strength and courage, in her wide grey-blue eyes an undaunted spirit.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "For ours beyond the gate, The deep things, the untold, We only wait."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading "For ours beyond the gate, The deep things, the untold, We only wait."
gauntlets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/
plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
grey-blueadjective
of blue tinged with grey
From this reading She did not look incompetent; nay, about her there was a fine strength and courage, in her wide grey-blue eyes an undaunted spirit.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
incompetentnounUS /ˌɪnˈkɑːmpətənt/
someone who is not competent to take effective action
From this reading She did not look incompetent; nay, about her there was a fine strength and courage, in her wide grey-blue eyes an undaunted spirit.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
Isla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She did not look incompetent; nay, about her there was a fine strength and courage, in her wide grey-blue eyes an undaunted spirit.
Mackinnon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
march in a procession
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
a particular point in time
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
an old word for “no”
From this reading She did not look incompetent; nay, about her there was a fine strength and courage, in her wide grey-blue eyes an undaunted spirit.
not one, and not any
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
and nothing more
From this reading "For ours beyond the gate, The deep things, the untold, We only wait."
the one or ones belonging to us
From this reading "For ours beyond the gate, The deep things, the untold, We only wait."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading She did not look incompetent; nay, about her there was a fine strength and courage, in her wide grey-blue eyes an undaunted spirit.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading She did not look incompetent; nay, about her there was a fine strength and courage, in her wide grey-blue eyes an undaunted spirit.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "For ours beyond the gate, The deep things, the untold, We only wait."
in or at that place or location
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "For ours beyond the gate, The deep things, the untold, We only wait."
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
thoughtfullyadverbUS /ˈθɔːtfəli/
in a thoughtful manner
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
undauntedadjectiveUS /ənˈdɔːntɪd/
unshaken in purpose
From this reading She did not look incompetent; nay, about her there was a fine strength and courage, in her wide grey-blue eyes an undaunted spirit.
untoldadjectiveUS /ənˈtoʊld/
too much to be measured
From this reading "For ours beyond the gate, The deep things, the untold, We only wait."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
precisely as stated
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading "For ours beyond the gate, The deep things, the untold, We only wait."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Its very existence was to be threatened that cool, clear March day, and there was none but Isla to step into the breach.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "For ours beyond the gate, The deep things, the untold, We only wait."
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Hers were small, fine, capable hands, in which at that moment, though she knew it not, lay the whole destiny of Achree.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading She did not look incompetent; nay, about her there was a fine strength and courage, in her wide grey-blue eyes an undaunted spirit.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading Isla Mackinnon came out from the narrow doorway of the Castle of Achree, and stood for a moment on the broad step, worn by the feet of generations, while she thoughtfully drew on a pair of shabby, old leather gloves with gauntlets which came well up her slender arms.
