used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
abashedadjectiveUS /əˈbæʃt/
feeling or caused to feel ill at ease or self-conscious or ashamed
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
blackthornnoun
a thorny Eurasian bush with plumlike fruits
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
the act of breaking something
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
Christopher'snounUS /ˈkrɪstəfərz/
possessive form of “christopher” — Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
codenounUS /koʊd/
a set of rules or principles or laws (especially written ones)
From this reading The code of manners in which he was reared was stringent in this particular.
not accessible to view
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
dark-blueadjective
of a dark shade of blue
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
decorousadjectiveUS /ˈdekərəs/
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
deferencenounUS /ˈdefərəns/
a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
expectancynounUS /ɪkˈspektənsi/
an expectation
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He looked what he was--a good, solid, respectable working lad out for a holiday.
friend'snounUS /frendz/
possessive form of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He looked what he was--a good, solid, respectable working lad out for a holiday.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked what he was--a good, solid, respectable working lad out for a holiday.
headlongadverbUS /ˈhedlɔːŋ/
with the head foremost
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
holidaynounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪ/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading He looked what he was--a good, solid, respectable working lad out for a holiday.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
joyouslyadverb
in a joyous and gleeful manner
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
a boy or man
From this reading He looked what he was--a good, solid, respectable working lad out for a holiday.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked what he was--a good, solid, respectable working lad out for a holiday.
luxurynounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəri/
something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
social deportment
From this reading The code of manners in which he was reared was stringent in this particular.
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
not any; not one
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He looked what he was--a good, solid, respectable working lad out for a holiday.
outspokenadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈspoʊkən/
given to expressing yourself freely or insistently
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
Paddington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading The code of manners in which he was reared was stringent in this particular.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
racingnounUS /ˈreɪsɪŋ/
the sport of engaging in contests of speed
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
rearedverbUS /rɪrd/
past form of “rear” — stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds
From this reading The code of manners in which he was reared was stringent in this particular.
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading He looked what he was--a good, solid, respectable working lad out for a holiday.
richlyadverbUS /ˈrɪtʃli/
to an ample degree or in an ample manner
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
Sartin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
showersnounUS /ˈʃaʊərz/
plural of “shower” — a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
snowyadjectiveUS /ˈsnoʊi/
marked by the presence of snow
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading He looked what he was--a good, solid, respectable working lad out for a holiday.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
stringentadjectiveUS /ˈstrɪndʒənt/
demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
From this reading The code of manners in which he was reared was stringent in this particular.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
suppressedadjectiveUS /səˈprest/
kept from public knowledge by various means
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The code of manners in which he was reared was stringent in this particular.
tienounUS /taɪ/
neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
travelledadjectiveUS /ˈtrævəld/
familiar with many parts of the world
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
tremulousadjectiveUS /ˈtremjələs/
(of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
unobtrusiveadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəbˈtruːsɪv/
not obtrusive or undesirably noticeable
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He looked what he was--a good, solid, respectable working lad out for a holiday.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The code of manners in which he was reared was stringent in this particular.
a Caucasian
From this reading It was a day of expectancy--and promise--of blackthorn breaking into snowy showers, and of meadows richly green, blue sky and white cloud--and a sense of racing, headlong life joyously tremulous over the earth.
plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire
From this reading The boys had met at Paddington Station, Sam Sartin by no means abashed at his own appearance in an old suit of Christopher's, and wearing, in deference to his friend's outspoken wishes, a decorous dark-blue tie and unobtrusive shirt.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading He looked what he was--a good, solid, respectable working lad out for a holiday.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Excitement, if he felt it, was well suppressed, surprise at the new world of luxury--they travelled down first--was equally carefully concealed.
