used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
the state of being absent
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
advancingadjectiveUS /ədˈvænsɪŋ/
moving forward
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
(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 ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
ALONGprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
beckonedverbUS /ˈbekənd/
past form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading I beckoned him over to a corner of the hall, and as the family were used to our having a hundred secrets together, no one commented on this either.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
blurtverbUS /blɜːrt/
utter impulsively
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
the two together, not just one
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
candied-peel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
an occurrence of something
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
commentedverbUS /ˈkɑːmentəd/
past form of “comment” — make or write a comment on
From this reading I beckoned him over to a corner of the hall, and as the family were used to our having a hundred secrets together, no one commented on this either.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading I beckoned him over to a corner of the hall, and as the family were used to our having a hundred secrets together, no one commented on this either.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
the act of discovering something
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
one or the other of two
From this reading I beckoned him over to a corner of the hall, and as the family were used to our having a hundred secrets together, no one commented on this either.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
exploreverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːr/
inquire into
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
a social unit living together
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
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 So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
brought together in one place
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
gorgeousadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəs/
dazzlingly beautiful
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading I beckoned him over to a corner of the hall, and as the family were used to our having a hundred secrets together, no one commented on this either.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I beckoned him over to a corner of the hall, and as the family were used to our having a hundred secrets together, no one commented on this either.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
ten 10s
From this reading I beckoned him over to a corner of the hall, and as the family were used to our having a hundred secrets together, no one commented on this either.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
I'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
inletnounUS /ˈɪnlet/
an arm off of a larger body of water (often between rocky headlands)
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
judgingnounUS /ˈdʒʌdʒɪŋ/
the cognitive process of reaching a decision or drawing conclusions
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
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 Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
literallyadverbUS /ˈlɪtərəli/
in a literal sense
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
MORGAN'SnounUS /ˈmɔːrɡənz/
possessive form of “morgan” — United States anthropologist who studied the Seneca (1818-1881)
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
not any; not one
From this reading I beckoned him over to a corner of the hall, and as the family were used to our having a hundred secrets together, no one commented on this either.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I beckoned him over to a corner of the hall, and as the family were used to our having a hundred secrets together, no one commented on this either.
and nothing more
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I beckoned him over to a corner of the hall, and as the family were used to our having a hundred secrets together, no one commented on this either.
overheardverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
pursedverbUS /pɜːrst/
past form of “purse” — contract one's lips into a rounded shape
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
Reddy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
secretsnounUS /ˈsiːkrəts/
plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
From this reading I beckoned him over to a corner of the hall, and as the family were used to our having a hundred secrets together, no one commented on this either.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
springingverbUS /ˈsprɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
not in physical motion
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
suggestionsnounUS /səˈdʒestʃənz/
plural of “suggestion” — an idea that is suggested
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
Syd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
carry out
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I beckoned him over to a corner of the hall, and as the family were used to our having a hundred secrets together, no one commented on this either.
thrashingnounUS /ˈθræʃɪŋ/
a sound defeat
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading I beckoned him over to a corner of the hall, and as the family were used to our having a hundred secrets together, no one commented on this either.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
tumbledverbUS /ˈtʌmbəld/
past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading I beckoned him over to a corner of the hall, and as the family were used to our having a hundred secrets together, no one commented on this either.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
we'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
(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 Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were still gathered in the big hall, discussing our candied-peel scheme, and judging by some of the remarks I overheard as I entered, they had been advancing suggestions, and thrashing out ways and means at a great rate.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
at the time that
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading Well, when I told him what we’d been doing that evening since Reddy and I left the house, and what a gorgeous find we’d literally tumbled into, he gave me one astonished look, and then pursed up his lips in a long whistle.
worriedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrid/
afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading ALONG MORGAN’S TRAIL When we got to the house, instead of finding the family worried by our long absence as I’d been afraid would be the case, they hadn’t missed us at all--evidently taking it for granted we’d both slipped off to bed.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So suddenly the idea came to me that I wouldn’t blurt out my discovery of the inlet--Reddy of course had guessed nothing of what it meant--but would take only Syd into the secret, and we’d explore a bit further by ourselves, before springing the surprise on the family.
