Chapter I

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PROBABLE SONS," "TEDDY'S BUTTON," "ON THE EDGE OF A MOOR," "ODD," ETC.

later than; following

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading IT was a very warm afternoon in July.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading BUTLER & TANNER THE SELWOOD PRINTING WORKS FROME, AND LONDON.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PROBABLE SONS," "TEDDY'S BUTTON," "ON THE EDGE OF A MOOR," "ODD," ETC.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table

From this reading BUTLER & TANNER THE SELWOOD PRINTING WORKS FROME, AND LONDON.

an edible emulsion of fat globules made by churning milk or cream; for cooking and table use

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PROBABLE SONS," "TEDDY'S BUTTON," "ON THE EDGE OF A MOOR," "ODD," ETC.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

with unflagging resolve

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

plural of “charge” — an impetuous rush toward someone or something

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PROBABLE SONS," "TEDDY'S BUTTON," "ON THE EDGE OF A MOOR," "ODD," ETC.

inflected form of “empty” — make void or empty of contents

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PROBABLE SONS," "TEDDY'S BUTTON," "ON THE EDGE OF A MOOR," "ODD," ETC.

a degree on the Fahrenheit scale of temperature

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

inflected form of “fan” — strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BUTLER & TANNER THE SELWOOD PRINTING WORKS FROME, AND LONDON.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

something unspecified whose name is either forgotten or not known

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading IT was a very warm afternoon in July.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IT was a very warm afternoon in July.

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading IT was a very warm afternoon in July.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

moving slowly and gently

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

inflected form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading BUTLER & TANNER THE SELWOOD PRINTING WORKS FROME, AND LONDON.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

secure in or as if in a berth or dock

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PROBABLE SONS," "TEDDY'S BUTTON," "ON THE EDGE OF A MOOR," "ODD," ETC.

a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

not divisible by two

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PROBABLE SONS," "TEDDY'S BUTTON," "ON THE EDGE OF A MOOR," "ODD," ETC.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PROBABLE SONS," "TEDDY'S BUTTON," "ON THE EDGE OF A MOOR," "ODD," ETC.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PROBABLE SONS," "TEDDY'S BUTTON," "ON THE EDGE OF A MOOR," "ODD," ETC.

above and across; more than

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

used of a height or viewpoint

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

plural of “prawn” — any of various edible decapod crustaceans

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

past form of “preside” — act as president

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

text handwritten in the style of printed matter

From this reading BUTLER & TANNER THE SELWOOD PRINTING WORKS FROME, AND LONDON.

likely but not certain to be or become true or real

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PROBABLE SONS," "TEDDY'S BUTTON," "ON THE EDGE OF A MOOR," "ODD," ETC.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

express in words

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BUTLER & TANNER THE SELWOOD PRINTING WORKS FROME, AND LONDON.

a share of something

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PROBABLE SONS," "TEDDY'S BUTTON," "ON THE EDGE OF A MOOR," "ODD," ETC.

having the sticky properties of an adhesive

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

a small coin of the United Kingdom worth six pennies; not minted since 1970

From this reading BUTLER & TANNER THE SELWOOD PRINTING WORKS FROME, AND LONDON.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

possessive form of “teddy” — plaything consisting of a child's toy bear (usually plush and stuffed with soft materials)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PROBABLE SONS," "TEDDY'S BUTTON," "ON THE EDGE OF A MOOR," "ODD," ETC.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PROBABLE SONS," "TEDDY'S BUTTON," "ON THE EDGE OF A MOOR," "ODD," ETC.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

precisely as stated

From this reading IT was a very warm afternoon in July.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading IT was a very warm afternoon in July.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading IT was a very warm afternoon in July.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In a front room with a large bay window overlooking the sea and beach at F— were the three little Thurstons; and they were having their tea at a round table, presided over by their governess, Miss Gubbins.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading The atmosphere was close; the children's faces hot, and—if I may say it—sticky; and Miss Gubbins leant back in her chair fanning herself with a newspaper and watching her charges in lazy wonder, as they ate slice after slice of bread and butter, and emptied a large plate of prawns between them, talking ceaselessly as they did so.

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading BUTLER & TANNER THE SELWOOD PRINTING WORKS FROME, AND LONDON.