used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
the state of being absent
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
accompanyverbUS /əˈkʌmpəni/
be present or associated with an event or entity
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
a quantity of money
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
bonnieadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːni/
very pleasing to the eye
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
cause to be bored
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
bribenounUS /braɪb/
payment made to a person in a position of trust to corrupt his judgment
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
butterynounUS /ˈbʌtəri/
a small storeroom for storing foods or wines
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
captiousadjective
tending to find and call attention to faults
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
CarmichaelnounUS /ˈkɑːrmaɪkəl/
United States songwriter (1899-1981)
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
cloakedadjectiveUS /kloʊkt/
having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
coaxingadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊksɪŋ/
pleasingly persuasive or intended to persuade
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
comfits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
dintnounUS /dɪnt/
interchangeable with “means” in the expression “by means of”
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
having made preparations
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
the act of consuming liquids
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
set up or found
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
Geddes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
lapwingnoun
large crested Old World plover having wattles and spurs
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
maids-of-honour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
engage in
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
managementnounUS /ˈmænədʒmənt/
the act of managing something
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
merrimentnoun
a gay feeling
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
not any; not one
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
and nothing more
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
point-blankadjective
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
possetnoun
sweet spiced hot milk curdled with ale or beer
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
prevailedverbUS /prɪˈveɪld/
past form of “prevail” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
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 ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
Queen'snounUS /kwiːnz/
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 On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
ratingnounUS /ˈreɪtɪŋ/
an appraisal of the value of something
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
cut with a saw
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
securingverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrɪŋ/
-ing form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
self-willedadjective
habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
that is looked for
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
move an implement through
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
in or at that place or location
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading ‘And some said this, and some said that, And our bonnie Queen, she laughed loud and free, But down on his knees the poor fool sat, Says, “Never a fool is there here but three!”’
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
arousing affect
From this reading After taking a tender farewell of the cloaked stranger, more touching and affectionate, if possible, than her greeting, Mary Carmichael fled back to the palace like a lapwing.
triflingnounUS /ˈtraɪflɪŋ/
the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
turret-chamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the present occasion he refused point-blank to stir from the chimney corner, and it was only by dint of much coaxing, and the promised bribe of a box of French comfits, that Mary Carmichael prevailed on him to accompany her, and bore him off in triumph to the turret-chamber, there to make sport for the Queen’s maids-of-honour.
a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
wheedleverb
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
From this reading Like the rest of his class, the fool could at times be sufficiently self-willed and captious, rating his own society at no trifling value, more especially if he saw that it was sought after; and it required no small amount of management to wheedle him into merriment if not so disposed.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was no time to lose in securing James Geddes, if she would not have the length of her absence remarked, and she found him, as she expected, drinking a warm posset in the buttery.
