adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
althoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
appearverbUS /əˈpɪr/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading His Aunt Kirsty could not understand or explain his reluctance to attend the public services, nor his unwillingness to appear in the house on the occasion of the minister's visits.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
attendverbUS /əˈtend/
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading His Aunt Kirsty could not understand or explain his reluctance to attend the public services, nor his unwillingness to appear in the house on the occasion of the minister's visits.
AuntnounUS /ænt/
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading His Aunt Kirsty could not understand or explain his reluctance to attend the public services, nor his unwillingness to appear in the house on the occasion of the minister's visits.
belongingnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋ/
happiness felt in a secure relationship
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
BiblenounUS /ˈbaɪbəl/
the sacred writings of the Christian religions
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
busyadjectiveUS /ˈbɪzi/
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
churchnounUS /tʃɜːrtʃ/
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
classnounUS /klæs/
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In their visits to Macdonald Dubh the minister and his wife never could see Ranald.
disappointmentnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt/
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
Dubh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In their visits to Macdonald Dubh the minister and his wife never could see Ranald.
explainverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪn/
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading His Aunt Kirsty could not understand or explain his reluctance to attend the public services, nor his unwillingness to appear in the house on the occasion of the minister's visits.
extraordinaryadjectiveUS /ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri/
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
fencesnounUS /ˈfensəz/
plural of “fence” — a barrier that serves to enclose an area
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In their visits to Macdonald Dubh the minister and his wife never could see Ranald.
HOME-COMING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading His Aunt Kirsty could not understand or explain his reluctance to attend the public services, nor his unwillingness to appear in the house on the occasion of the minister's visits.
Hughie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
Kirsty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His Aunt Kirsty could not understand or explain his reluctance to attend the public services, nor his unwillingness to appear in the house on the occasion of the minister's visits.
Macdonald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In their visits to Macdonald Dubh the minister and his wife never could see Ranald.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
mansenoun
a large and imposing house
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
ministernounUS /ˈmɪnəstər/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading In their visits to Macdonald Dubh the minister and his wife never could see Ranald.
minister'snounUS /ˈmɪnɪstərz/
possessive form of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading His Aunt Kirsty could not understand or explain his reluctance to attend the public services, nor his unwillingness to appear in the house on the occasion of the minister's visits.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
MurraynounUS /ˈmɜːri/
British classical scholar (born in Australia) who advocated the League of Nations and the United Nations (1866-1957)
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading In their visits to Macdonald Dubh the minister and his wife never could see Ranald.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
occasionnounUS /əˈkeɪʒən/
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading His Aunt Kirsty could not understand or explain his reluctance to attend the public services, nor his unwillingness to appear in the house on the occasion of the minister's visits.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His Aunt Kirsty could not understand or explain his reluctance to attend the public services, nor his unwillingness to appear in the house on the occasion of the minister's visits.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading His Aunt Kirsty could not understand or explain his reluctance to attend the public services, nor his unwillingness to appear in the house on the occasion of the minister's visits.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
publicnounUS /ˈpʌblɪk/
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading His Aunt Kirsty could not understand or explain his reluctance to attend the public services, nor his unwillingness to appear in the house on the occasion of the minister's visits.
queeradjectiveUS /kwɪr/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
Ranald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
reluctancenounUS /rɪˈlʌktəns/
(physics) opposition to magnetic flux (analogous to electric resistance)
From this reading His Aunt Kirsty could not understand or explain his reluctance to attend the public services, nor his unwillingness to appear in the house on the occasion of the minister's visits.
reportedadjectiveUS /ˌriːˈpɔːrtɪd/
made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading In their visits to Macdonald Dubh the minister and his wife never could see Ranald.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
servicesnounUS /ˈsɜːrvəsəz/
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
From this reading His Aunt Kirsty could not understand or explain his reluctance to attend the public services, nor his unwillingness to appear in the house on the occasion of the minister's visits.
SHANTYMEN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
spring'snounUS /sprɪŋz/
possessive form of “spring” — the season of growth
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
stablesnounUS /ˈsteɪbəlz/
plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In their visits to Macdonald Dubh the minister and his wife never could see Ranald.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading His Aunt Kirsty could not understand or explain his reluctance to attend the public services, nor his unwillingness to appear in the house on the occasion of the minister's visits.
uneasyadjectiveUS /əˈniːzi/
lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
unwillingnessnounUS /ənˈwɪlɪŋnɪs/
the trait of being unwilling
From this reading His Aunt Kirsty could not understand or explain his reluctance to attend the public services, nor his unwillingness to appear in the house on the occasion of the minister's visits.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
visitsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪts/
plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time
From this reading In their visits to Macdonald Dubh the minister and his wife never could see Ranald.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
weeksnounUS /wiːks/
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading THE HOME-COMING OF THE SHANTYMEN For some weeks Ranald was not seen by any one belonging to the manse.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Hughie reported that he was not at church, nor at Bible class, and although this was not in itself an extraordinary thing, still Mrs. Murray was uneasy, and Hughie felt that church was a great disappointment when Ranald was not there.
wifenounUS /waɪf/
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading In their visits to Macdonald Dubh the minister and his wife never could see Ranald.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading “He is busy with the fences and about the stables preparing for the spring's work,” she said; “but, indeed, he is very queer whatever, and I cannot make him out at all.”
