used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
Agnes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning Mrs. Merton and Agnes rose early, and, as usual, walked out before breakfast.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
AlumnounUS /ˈæləm/
a white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum: the ammonium double sulfate of aluminum
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The next morning Mrs. Merton and Agnes rose early, and, as usual, walked out before breakfast.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The next morning Mrs. Merton and Agnes rose early, and, as usual, walked out before breakfast.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The next morning Mrs. Merton and Agnes rose early, and, as usual, walked out before breakfast.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading The next morning Mrs. Merton and Agnes rose early, and, as usual, walked out before breakfast.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading The young man was evidently pleased with the effect he had produced; and, calling Neptune, he threw a stone for him to fetch out of the sea.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The next morning Mrs. Merton and Agnes rose early, and, as usual, walked out before breakfast.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The young man was evidently pleased with the effect he had produced; and, calling Neptune, he threw a stone for him to fetch out of the sea.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The young man was evidently pleased with the effect he had produced; and, calling Neptune, he threw a stone for him to fetch out of the sea.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
FertilitynounUS /fərˈtɪləti/
the ratio of live births in an area to the population of that area; expressed per 1000 population per year
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
go or come after and bring or take back
From this reading The young man was evidently pleased with the effect he had produced; and, calling Neptune, he threw a stone for him to fetch out of the sea.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
FishermannounUS /ˈfɪʃərmæn/
someone whose occupation is catching fish
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
flappingnounUS /ˈflæpɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
FossilsnounUS /ˈfɑːsəlz/
plural of “fossil” — someone whose style is out of fashion
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The young man was evidently pleased with the effect he had produced; and, calling Neptune, he threw a stone for him to fetch out of the sea.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
not accessible to view
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
IslenounUS /aɪl/
a small island
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
MertonnounUS /ˈmɜːrtən/
United States religious and writer (1915-1968)
From this reading The next morning Mrs. Merton and Agnes rose early, and, as usual, walked out before breakfast.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The next morning Mrs. Merton and Agnes rose early, and, as usual, walked out before breakfast.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The next morning Mrs. Merton and Agnes rose early, and, as usual, walked out before breakfast.
NeedlesnounUS /ˈniːdəlz/
plural of “needle” — the leaf of a conifer
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
NeptunenounUS /ˈneptuːn/
(Roman mythology) god of the sea; counterpart of Greek Poseidon
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next morning Mrs. Merton and Agnes rose early, and, as usual, walked out before breakfast.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The next morning Mrs. Merton and Agnes rose early, and, as usual, walked out before breakfast.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading The young man was evidently pleased with the effect he had produced; and, calling Neptune, he threw a stone for him to fetch out of the sea.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading The young man was evidently pleased with the effect he had produced; and, calling Neptune, he threw a stone for him to fetch out of the sea.
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The next morning Mrs. Merton and Agnes rose early, and, as usual, walked out before breakfast.
sauntering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
cut with a saw
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
screamingadjectiveUS /ˈskriːmɪŋ/
so extremely intense as to evoke screams
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The young man was evidently pleased with the effect he had produced; and, calling Neptune, he threw a stone for him to fetch out of the sea.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
in the near future
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The young man was evidently pleased with the effect he had produced; and, calling Neptune, he threw a stone for him to fetch out of the sea.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
terrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪd/
thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
a special situation
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading The young man was evidently pleased with the effect he had produced; and, calling Neptune, he threw a stone for him to fetch out of the sea.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The next morning Mrs. Merton and Agnes rose early, and, as usual, walked out before breakfast.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading The next morning Mrs. Merton and Agnes rose early, and, as usual, walked out before breakfast.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
which person or people
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
WightnounUS /waɪt/
a human being; “wight” is an archaic term
From this reading Fisherman.—Fossils.—Fine Water.—Alum Bay.—The Needles.—Old Couple.—Dull Road.—Fertility of the Isle of Wight.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading Almost as soon as they saw him, the young man fired his gun; and instantly a thousand birds rose from hidden places in the cliffs, screaming and flapping their wings in such a fearful manner that Agnes was quite terrified, and clung close to her mother’s side, as if for protection.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Almost the first thing they saw was the young man who had attracted their attention the preceding evening; and who, with his gun in his hand, and followed by Neptune, was sauntering over the cliffs.
