used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was built of rough stones, after the manner of an ancient ruin, only, unlike ruins in general, it was snugly roofed in, and was weather-tight.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was built of rough stones, after the manner of an ancient ruin, only, unlike ruins in general, it was snugly roofed in, and was weather-tight.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading It was built of rough stones, after the manner of an ancient ruin, only, unlike ruins in general, it was snugly roofed in, and was weather-tight.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
betook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading It was built of rough stones, after the manner of an ancient ruin, only, unlike ruins in general, it was snugly roofed in, and was weather-tight.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
constructedverbUS /kənˈstrʌktəd/
past form of “construct” — make by combining materials and parts
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
cricketnounUS /ˈkrɪkət/
leaping insect; male makes chirping noises by rubbing the forewings together
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
especialadjectiveUS /əˈspeʃəl/
surpassing what is common or usual or expected
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
exertionsnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃənz/
plural of “exertion” — use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading It was built of rough stones, after the manner of an ancient ruin, only, unlike ruins in general, it was snugly roofed in, and was weather-tight.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
Grigson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
GROTTOnounUS /ˈɡrɑːtoʊ/
a small cave (usually with attractive features)
From this reading IN THE GROTTO.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
hotlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːtli/
in a heated manner
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE GROTTO.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was built of rough stones, after the manner of an ancient ruin, only, unlike ruins in general, it was snugly roofed in, and was weather-tight.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The grotto was not only cool, but secluded.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
and nothing more
From this reading The grotto was not only cool, but secluded.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
perturbedadjectiveUS /pərˈtɜːrbd/
thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/
located far away spatially
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
retracedverbUS /riˈtreɪst/
past form of “retrace” — to go back over again
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
roofedadjectiveUS /ruːft/
covered with a roof; having a roof as specified (often used in combination)
From this reading It was built of rough stones, after the manner of an ancient ruin, only, unlike ruins in general, it was snugly roofed in, and was weather-tight.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading It was built of rough stones, after the manner of an ancient ruin, only, unlike ruins in general, it was snugly roofed in, and was weather-tight.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading It was built of rough stones, after the manner of an ancient ruin, only, unlike ruins in general, it was snugly roofed in, and was weather-tight.
ruinsnounUS /ˈruːənz/
plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading It was built of rough stones, after the manner of an ancient ruin, only, unlike ruins in general, it was snugly roofed in, and was weather-tight.
secludedadjectiveUS /sɪˈkluːdɪd/
hidden from general view or use
From this reading The grotto was not only cool, but secluded.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
snuglyadverbUS /ˈsnʌɡli/
fitting closely
From this reading It was built of rough stones, after the manner of an ancient ruin, only, unlike ruins in general, it was snugly roofed in, and was weather-tight.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
in the near future
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading It was built of rough stones, after the manner of an ancient ruin, only, unlike ruins in general, it was snugly roofed in, and was weather-tight.
studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE GROTTO.
TINCROFT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading JOHN TINCROFT soon got tired of the cricket ground, and retraced his steps to the now deserted lawn.
unlikeadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪk/
marked by dissimilarity
From this reading It was built of rough stones, after the manner of an ancient ruin, only, unlike ruins in general, it was snugly roofed in, and was weather-tight.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
weariedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪrid/
exhausted
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
weather-tight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was built of rough stones, after the manner of an ancient ruin, only, unlike ruins in general, it was snugly roofed in, and was weather-tight.
(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 The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The sun was near setting, but it was shining hotly nevertheless; and the poor student, wearied with his day's exertions, and somewhat perturbed in spirit as well, betook himself to a cool grotto in a remote part of the grounds, which Richard Grigson had had constructed for his own especial pleasure.
