used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
(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 He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
towards the shore from the water
From this reading He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
bedchambers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
cavesnounUS /keɪvz/
plural of “cave” — a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
clappingnounUS /ˈklæpɪŋ/
a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
closesnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪz/
plural of “close” — the temporal end; the concluding time
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
coralnounUS /ˈkɔːrəl/
a variable color averaging a deep pink
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
driftverbUS /drɪft/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
unflinching in battle or action
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
gulpverbUS /ɡʌlp/
to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
kitenounUS /kaɪt/
a bank check that has been fraudulently altered to increase its face value
From this reading He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
lagoonnounUS /ləˈɡuːn/
a body of water cut off from a larger body by a reef of sand or coral
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
immediately past
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
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 He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
mainlandnounUS /ˈmeɪnlænd/
the main land mass of a country or continent; as distinguished from an island or peninsula
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
mermaidsnounUS /ˈmɜːrmeɪdz/
plural of “mermaid” — half woman and half fish; lives in the sea
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
in motion
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
nibblingverbUS /ˈnɪbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “nibble” — bite off very small pieces
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
nicestadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪsɪst/
superlative of “nice” — pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
being perceived or observed
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
not divisible by two
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
and nothing more
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
opensnounUS /ˈoʊpənz/
plural of “open” — a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
go across or through
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
by chance
From this reading He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
in the near future
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
retiringadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ/
not arrogant or presuming
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
ringsnounUS /rɪŋz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
sympatheticadjectiveUS /ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/
of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
carry out
From this reading He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
a special situation
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
up to a particular time
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
very small
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading Steadily the waters rose till they were nibbling at his feet; and to pass the time until they made their final gulp, he watched the only thing moving on the lagoon.
weakeradjectiveUS /ˈwiːkər/
comparative of “weak” — wanting in physical strength
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE NEVER BIRD The last sounds Peter heard before he was quite alone were the mermaids retiring one by one to their bedchambers under the sea.
at the time that
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
in or at the place that
From this reading He was too far away to hear their doors shut; but every door in the coral caves where they live rings a tiny bell when it opens or closes (as in all the nicest houses on the mainland), and he heard the bells.
winningadjectiveUS /ˈwɪnɪŋ/
having won
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
the basic unit of money in South Korea
From this reading Presently he noticed as an odd thing that it was undoubtedly out upon the lagoon with some definite purpose, for it was fighting the tide, and sometimes winning; and when it won, Peter, always sympathetic to the weaker side, could not help clapping; it was such a gallant piece of paper.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He thought it was a piece of floating paper, perhaps part of the kite, and wondered idly how long it would take to drift ashore.
