Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

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

From this reading In 1814, apparently, the vogue of the sentimental, the scandalous, the mysterious, and the horrid still persisted.

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

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

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

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

(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 Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

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

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

expected hopefully

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

from appearances alone

From this reading In 1814, apparently, the vogue of the sentimental, the scandalous, the mysterious, and the horrid still persisted.

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

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

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

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

a large and stately mansion

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

passing from one to another

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

anything that covers or conceals

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

the act of gathering something together

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

the activity of keeping something secret

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

plural of “concern” — something that interests you because it is important or affects you

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

past form of “consign” — commit forever; commit irrevocably

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

in a disrespectful manner

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

marked for certain death

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

one or the other of two

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

being or in accordance with current social fashions

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

an ornamental facade

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

a person of German nationality

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

someone employed to conduct others

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

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

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

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

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

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

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

the main good female character in a work of fiction

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

exceedingly bad

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

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

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

serving to open or begin

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

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

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

the queen of Castile whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469 marked the beginning of the modern state of Spain; they instituted the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and sponsored the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492 (1451-1504)

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

plural of “key” — metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

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

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

plural of “library” — a room where books are kept

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

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 "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

an ancient region on the coast of western Asia Minor; a powerful kingdom until conquered by the Persians in 546 BC

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

a female domestic

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

in the current fashion or style

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

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

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

of an obscure nature

From this reading In 1814, apparently, the vogue of the sentimental, the scandalous, the mysterious, and the horrid still persisted.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

above and across; more than

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

past form of “persist” — continue to exist

From this reading In 1814, apparently, the vogue of the sentimental, the scandalous, the mysterious, and the horrid still persisted.

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

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

plural of “precinct” — a district of a city or town marked out for administrative purposes

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

established beyond doubt

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

a thorough search for something (often causing disorder or confusion)

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

a new appraisal or evaluation

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

plural of “romance” — a relationship between two lovers

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

extremely harmful; bringing physical or financial ruin

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

giving offense to moral sensibilities and injurious to reputation

From this reading In 1814, apparently, the vogue of the sentimental, the scandalous, the mysterious, and the horrid still persisted.

only a very short time before

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

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

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

mental responsiveness and awareness

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

given to or marked by sentiment or sentimentality

From this reading In 1814, apparently, the vogue of the sentimental, the scandalous, the mysterious, and the horrid still persisted.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

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

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

not in physical motion

From this reading In 1814, apparently, the vogue of the sentimental, the scandalous, the mysterious, and the horrid still persisted.

past form of “supplant” — take the place or move into the position of

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

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

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

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

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

outstanding United States athlete (1888-1953)

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

plural of “title” — a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

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

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

a shaky motion

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

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

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

not having inhabitants; not lived in

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

the popular taste at a given time

From this reading In 1814, apparently, the vogue of the sentimental, the scandalous, the mysterious, and the horrid still persisted.

the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

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

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

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

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading In 1775 we find Miss Lydia Languish's maid ransacking the circulating libraries of Bath, and concealing under her cloak novels of sensibility and of fashionable scandal.

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

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

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

From this reading Scott, in the introductory chapter to _Waverley_, disrespectfully passes in review the modish novels, which, as it proved, were doomed to be supplanted by the series of romances he was then beginning:

belonging to which person

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)

From this reading "Had I announced in my frontispiece, 'Waverley, A Tale of Other Days,' must not every novel reader have anticipated a castle scarce less than that of Udolpho, of which the eastern wing has been long uninhabited, and the keys either lost or consigned to the care of some aged butler or housekeeper, whose trembling steps about the middle of the second volume were doomed to guide the hero or heroine to the ruinous precincts?

characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.

a late time of life

From this reading Some twenty years later, in the self-same city, Catherine Morland is "lost from all worldly concerns of dressing or dinner over the pages of _Udolpho_," and Isabella Thorpe is collecting in her pocket-book the "horrid" titles of romances from the German.