Chapter XVIII · The Great O’daly Usurpation

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

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

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

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

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading Such changes as had been wrought had come in a leisurely way, without attracting much attention.

-ing form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading Such changes as had been wrought had come in a leisurely way, without attracting much attention.

completely unclothed

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

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

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Such changes as had been wrought had come in a leisurely way, without attracting much attention.

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

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

full of energetic and noisy activity

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

marked by blithe unconcern

From this reading The lapse of twelve years here had made the scantest and most casual of marks upon the village and its inhabitants.

uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading Such changes as had been wrought had come in a leisurely way, without attracting much attention.

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

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

plural of “clergyman” — a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Such changes as had been wrought had come in a leisurely way, without attracting much attention.

a religious residence especially for nuns

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

the process of gradually becoming inferior

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

divisible by two

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

plural of “find” — a productive insight

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

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

From this reading The lapse of twelve years here had made the scantest and most casual of marks upon the village and its inhabitants.

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

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

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

From this reading The lapse of twelve years here had made the scantest and most casual of marks upon the village and its inhabitants.

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

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

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

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

with indifference; in an indifferent manner

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading The lapse of twelve years here had made the scantest and most casual of marks upon the village and its inhabitants.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The lapse of twelve years here had made the scantest and most casual of marks upon the village and its inhabitants.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

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

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

pass into a specified state or condition

From this reading The lapse of twelve years here had made the scantest and most casual of marks upon the village and its inhabitants.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

in an unhurried way or at one's convenience

From this reading Such changes as had been wrought had come in a leisurely way, without attracting much attention.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

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 Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The lapse of twelve years here had made the scantest and most casual of marks upon the village and its inhabitants.

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading The lapse of twelve years here had made the scantest and most casual of marks upon the village and its inhabitants.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

-ing form of “mention” — make reference to

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

the smallest possible quantity

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The lapse of twelve years here had made the scantest and most casual of marks upon the village and its inhabitants.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Such changes as had been wrought had come in a leisurely way, without attracting much attention.

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

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

the quality of being capable of mutation

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

not any; not one

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

plural of “nun” — a woman religious

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

and nothing more

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

exceptional, unusual, or remarkable

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

affected with palsy or uncontrollable tremor

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

extremely

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

deeply absorbed in thought

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

made less in size or amount or degree

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

located far away spatially

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

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

From this reading The lapse of twelve years here had made the scantest and most casual of marks upon the village and its inhabitants.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

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

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

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

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

the underside of footwear or a golf club

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

not in physical motion

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

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

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

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

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading The lapse of twelve years here had made the scantest and most casual of marks upon the village and its inhabitants.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The lapse of twelve years here had made the scantest and most casual of marks upon the village and its inhabitants.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading The lapse of twelve years here had made the scantest and most casual of marks upon the village and its inhabitants.

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

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Such changes as had been wrought had come in a leisurely way, without attracting much attention.

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

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

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

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Such changes as had been wrought had come in a leisurely way, without attracting much attention.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The stern natural law of mutability--of ceaseless growth, change and decay--which the big, bustling, preoccupied outside world takes so indifferently, as a matter of course, finds itself reduced to a bare minimum of influence in such small, remote and out-of-the-way places as Muirisc.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.

marked by wrinkles

From this reading The three old nuns were still the sole ladies of the Hostage’s Tears, and, like the rest of Muirisc, seemed only a trifle the more wrinkled and worn under this flight of time.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading Such changes as had been wrought had come in a leisurely way, without attracting much attention.

a late time of life

From this reading The lapse of twelve years here had made the scantest and most casual of marks upon the village and its inhabitants.

used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father

From this reading Positively no one worth mentioning had died--for even snuffy and palsied old Father Harrington, though long since replaced at the convent _by_ a younger priest, was understood to be still living on in the shelter of some retreat for aged clergymen in Kerry or Clare.