used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading On the day of their arrival, Beth looked about her in amaze.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
amazeverbUS /əˈmeɪz/
affect with wonder
From this reading On the day of their arrival, Beth looked about her in amaze.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading On the day of their arrival, Beth looked about her in amaze.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
BethnounUS /beθ/
the 2nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
conventionaladjectiveUS /kənˈvenʃənəl/
following accepted customs and proprieties
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading On the day of their arrival, Beth looked about her in amaze.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
opinion or judgment
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
focusnounUS /ˈfoʊkəs/
the concentration of attention or energy on something
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
freshnessnounUS /ˈfreʃnəs/
the property of being pure and fresh (as if newly made); not stale or deteriorated
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
garnishedverbUS /ˈɡɑːrnɪʃt/
past form of “garnish” — take a debtor's wages on legal orders, such as for child support
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On the day of their arrival, Beth looked about her in amaze.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
holidaynounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪ/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
indooradjectiveUS /ˈɪndɔːr/
located, suited for, or taking place within a building
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
go away from a place
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
loathadjectiveUS /loʊθ/
unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading On the day of their arrival, Beth looked about her in amaze.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
engage in
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the day of their arrival, Beth looked about her in amaze.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
perspectivenounUS /pərˈspektɪv/
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
Rainharbour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
readjustedverbUS /ˌriːəˈdʒʌstɪd/
past form of “readjust” — adjust anew
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
restrictionsnounUS /riˈstrɪkʃənz/
plural of “restriction” — a principle that limits the extent of something
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
Identical; not different.
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
stuffyadjectiveUS /ˈstʌfi/
lacking fresh air
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
possessing sweep
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading It had been such a lovely season that the holiday people lingered, loath to leave the freshness of the sea and the freedom of the shore for the stuffy indoor duties and the conventional restrictions of their town lives.
toy-town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
unalteredadjectiveUS /əˈnɔːltərd/
remaining in an original state
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
VictorianounUS /vɪkˈtɔːriə/
queen of Great Britain and Ireland and empress of India from 1837 to 1901; the last Hanoverian ruler of England (1819-1901)
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
at the time that
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was as if the focus of her eyes had been readjusted so as to make familiar objects seem strange, and change the perspective of everything; which gave the place a different air, a look of having been swept and garnished and set in order like a toy-town.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading She had experienced such a world of change in herself since she went away, that she was surprised to find the streets unaltered; and yet, although they were unaltered, they did not look the same.
but in spite of that
From this reading Rainharbour was not yet deserted by summer visitors, although it was late in the autumn when Beth and Aunt Victoria returned.
