Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading Earl Roderic of Gigha had doubtless in his sea rovings slept on many a less easy couch.

a cherished desire

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

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

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

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

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But it may be that in those dark hours of solitude his mind was more disturbed than were his hardy limbs.

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

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

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

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading Earl Roderic of Gigha had doubtless in his sea rovings slept on many a less easy couch.

greatly desired

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

having the place or position changed

From this reading But it may be that in those dark hours of solitude his mind was more disturbed than were his hardy limbs.

plural of “dominion” — dominance or power through legal authority

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading Earl Roderic of Gigha had doubtless in his sea rovings slept on many a less easy couch.

plural of “dungeon” — the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading Earl Roderic of Gigha had doubtless in his sea rovings slept on many a less easy couch.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading Earl Roderic of Gigha had doubtless in his sea rovings slept on many a less easy couch.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

past form of “fare” — proceed or get along

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

bringing death

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

a feeling of satisfaction at having achieved your desires

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

obtain

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

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

From this reading Earl Roderic of Gigha had doubtless in his sea rovings slept on many a less easy couch.

(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 His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

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

From this reading Earl Roderic of Gigha had doubtless in his sea rovings slept on many a less easy couch.

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

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading But it may be that in those dark hours of solitude his mind was more disturbed than were his hardy limbs.

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

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

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

From this reading Earl Roderic of Gigha had doubtless in his sea rovings slept on many a less easy couch.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading But it may be that in those dark hours of solitude his mind was more disturbed than were his hardy limbs.

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

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

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

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

a positive motivational influence

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

hereditary succession to a title or an office or property

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But it may be that in those dark hours of solitude his mind was more disturbed than were his hardy limbs.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

immediately past

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Earl Roderic of Gigha had doubtless in his sea rovings slept on many a less easy couch.

plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading But it may be that in those dark hours of solitude his mind was more disturbed than were his hardy limbs.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Earl Roderic of Gigha had doubtless in his sea rovings slept on many a less easy couch.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading But it may be that in those dark hours of solitude his mind was more disturbed than were his hardy limbs.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading But it may be that in those dark hours of solitude his mind was more disturbed than were his hardy limbs.

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

From this reading But it may be that in those dark hours of solitude his mind was more disturbed than were his hardy limbs.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

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

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe on the western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula; achieved independence from Sweden in 1905

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

a native or inhabitant of Norway

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

the activity of protecting someone or something

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

possessing material wealth

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

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

From this reading Earl Roderic of Gigha had doubtless in his sea rovings slept on many a less easy couch.

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

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

plural of “roving” — travelling about without any clear destination

From this reading Earl Roderic of Gigha had doubtless in his sea rovings slept on many a less easy couch.

meet the requirements or expectations of

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Earl Roderic of Gigha had doubtless in his sea rovings slept on many a less easy couch.

unlawful premeditated killing of a human being by a human being

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading Earl Roderic of Gigha had doubtless in his sea rovings slept on many a less easy couch.

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

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

a state of social isolation

From this reading But it may be that in those dark hours of solitude his mind was more disturbed than were his hardy limbs.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

plural of “territory” — a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But it may be that in those dark hours of solitude his mind was more disturbed than were his hardy limbs.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

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

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading But it may be that in those dark hours of solitude his mind was more disturbed than were his hardy limbs.

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

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

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

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading How the three island kings fared in the dark dungeons of the castle of Rothesay on that fatal night need not be told.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

(architecture) a vaulted structure

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

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

From this reading But it may be that in those dark hours of solitude his mind was more disturbed than were his hardy limbs.

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

From this reading But it may be that in those dark hours of solitude his mind was more disturbed than were his hardy limbs.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

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

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.

which person or people

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading His own inheritance of the small island of Gigha was not enough to satisfy his vaulting ambition, and the growing power of the King of Norway, who was year by year extending his territories in the west of Scotland, offered a further inducement to Roderic, who believed that by slaying his brother Hamish, and taking his place, he might bring the island of Bute under the protection of the Norwegian crown.

a late time of life

From this reading He had come to Bute full of a guilty design, by the fulfilment of which he had hoped to at last gain possession of the rich dominions that he had coveted for twenty years.