Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Alpin and his young friend were both about nineteen years of age.

anew

From this reading The lord of Bute sat not down again, for the feast was at an end.

how long something has existed

From this reading Alpin and his young friend were both about nineteen years of age.

(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 Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

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

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading They were almost full grown, and manly exercise had made them strong.

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

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The lord of Bute sat not down again, for the feast was at an end.

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

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

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

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

on or to one side

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The lord of Bute sat not down again, for the feast was at an end.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Alpin and his young friend were both about nineteen years of age.

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

From this reading The lord of Bute sat not down again, for the feast was at an end.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

rid of obstructions

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

continue a certain state, condition, or activity

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

carry on a conversation

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The lord of Bute sat not down again, for the feast was at an end.

a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The lord of Bute sat not down again, for the feast was at an end.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading They were almost full grown, and manly exercise had made them strong.

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading The lord of Bute sat not down again, for the feast was at an end.

an area near a fireplace (usually paved and extending out into a room)

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The lord of Bute sat not down again, for the feast was at an end.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Alpin and his young friend were both about nineteen years of age.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading They were almost full grown, and manly exercise had made them strong.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading They were almost full grown, and manly exercise had made them strong.

plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

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

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

-ing form of “harp” — come back to

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

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

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

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

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

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

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

plural of “lad” — a boy or man

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading The lord of Bute sat not down again, for the feast was at an end.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading They were almost full grown, and manly exercise had made them strong.

possessing qualities befitting a man

From this reading They were almost full grown, and manly exercise had made them strong.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

the force of workers available

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

-ing form of “mind” — be offended or bothered by; take offense with, be bothered by

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

a singer of folk songs

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eighteen and one

From this reading Alpin and his young friend were both about nineteen years of age.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The lord of Bute sat not down again, for the feast was at an end.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The lord of Bute sat not down again, for the feast was at an end.

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

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

an annual award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievements in motion picture production and performance

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

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

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

any object that is left unused or still extant

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading The lord of Bute sat not down again, for the feast was at an end.

the chief steward or butler of a great household

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

term of address for a man

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

someone who manages property or other affairs for someone else

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading They were almost full grown, and manly exercise had made them strong.

ingestion of liquid food with a spoon or by drinking

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

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

From this reading The lord of Bute sat not down again, for the feast was at an end.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They were almost full grown, and manly exercise had made them strong.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were almost full grown, and manly exercise had made them strong.

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

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

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

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

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

From this reading The lord of Bute sat not down again, for the feast was at an end.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

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

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

during the time that

From this reading While the earl and his steward were thus engaged, a tall seneschal with his serving men came into the hall to clear away the remains of the banquet; and as the old minstrel left his place at the fireside to continue his harping in the supping room of the guards, the two lads, Alpin of Bute and Allan Redmain, stepped to the hearth to hold converse with the three guests.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Sir Oscar Redmain, minding that he had to travel all the way to Kilmory that night, went to his master and spoke with him aside.

a late time of life

From this reading Alpin and his young friend were both about nineteen years of age.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Alpin and his young friend were both about nineteen years of age.