used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading To wander across the level lawns, or through the woods by well-kept paths, was an exercise altogether too tame and unexciting.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading She loved something that had in it a spice of adventure.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading To wander across the level lawns, or through the woods by well-kept paths, was an exercise altogether too tame and unexciting.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To wander across the level lawns, or through the woods by well-kept paths, was an exercise altogether too tame and unexciting.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading To stay within the precincts of Trewinion Park she declared was like being in prison.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To wander across the level lawns, or through the woods by well-kept paths, was an exercise altogether too tame and unexciting.
cavesnounUS /keɪvz/
plural of “cave” — a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
cranniesnounUS /ˈkræniz/
plural of “cranny” — a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading To stay within the precincts of Trewinion Park she declared was like being in prison.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading To wander across the level lawns, or through the woods by well-kept paths, was an exercise altogether too tame and unexciting.
ExploringverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “explore” — inquire into
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
forbiddingadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪdɪŋ/
harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
Grover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
gullsnounUS /ɡʌlz/
plural of “gull” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She loved something that had in it a spice of adventure.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To stay within the precincts of Trewinion Park she declared was like being in prison.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She loved something that had in it a spice of adventure.
lawnsnounUS /lɔːnz/
plural of “lawn” — a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading To wander across the level lawns, or through the woods by well-kept paths, was an exercise altogether too tame and unexciting.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading To wander across the level lawns, or through the woods by well-kept paths, was an exercise altogether too tame and unexciting.
lichennounUS /ˈlaɪkən/
any of several eruptive skin diseases characterized by hard thick lesions grouped together and resembling lichens growing on rocks
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading To stay within the precincts of Trewinion Park she declared was like being in prison.
held dear
From this reading She loved something that had in it a spice of adventure.
Madeline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading To stay within the precincts of Trewinion Park she declared was like being in prison.
pastimenounUS /ˈpæstaɪm/
a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
pathsnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
From this reading To wander across the level lawns, or through the woods by well-kept paths, was an exercise altogether too tame and unexciting.
yielding a fair profit
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
PENALTYnounUS /ˈpenəlti/
the act of punishing
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
precinctsnounUS /ˈpriːsɪŋkts/
plural of “precinct” — a district of a city or town marked out for administrative purposes
From this reading To stay within the precincts of Trewinion Park she declared was like being in prison.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading To stay within the precincts of Trewinion Park she declared was like being in prison.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To stay within the precincts of Trewinion Park she declared was like being in prison.
shellsnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading Exploring the caves and crannies for sea shells and lichen and gulls' eggs became a favourite pastime of hers.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading She loved something that had in it a spice of adventure.
spicenounUS /spaɪs/
aromatic substances of vegetable origin used as a preservative
From this reading She loved something that had in it a spice of adventure.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading To stay within the precincts of Trewinion Park she declared was like being in prison.
tameverbUS /teɪm/
correct by punishment or discipline
From this reading To wander across the level lawns, or through the woods by well-kept paths, was an exercise altogether too tame and unexciting.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She loved something that had in it a spice of adventure.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading To wander across the level lawns, or through the woods by well-kept paths, was an exercise altogether too tame and unexciting.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading To wander across the level lawns, or through the woods by well-kept paths, was an exercise altogether too tame and unexciting.
Trewinion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To stay within the precincts of Trewinion Park she declared was like being in prison.
unexcitingadjectiveUS /ənɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
not stimulating
From this reading To wander across the level lawns, or through the woods by well-kept paths, was an exercise altogether too tame and unexciting.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
wanderverbUS /ˈwɑːndər/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading To wander across the level lawns, or through the woods by well-kept paths, was an exercise altogether too tame and unexciting.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To stay within the precincts of Trewinion Park she declared was like being in prison.
well-keptadjective
kept in good condition
From this reading To wander across the level lawns, or through the woods by well-kept paths, was an exercise altogether too tame and unexciting.
at the time that
From this reading PAYING THE PENALTY When Madeline Grover got used to the cliffs they did not seem nearly so forbidding or dangerous as at the first.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading To stay within the precincts of Trewinion Park she declared was like being in prison.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading To wander across the level lawns, or through the woods by well-kept paths, was an exercise altogether too tame and unexciting.
