used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The first thing that struck a visitor was the wonderful box bushes in the hedge enclosing the yard and in a labyrinth in the garden.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading In the labyrinth the bushes met overhead and even after a heavy rain the paths between were perfectly dry.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading In the labyrinth the bushes met overhead and even after a heavy rain the paths between were perfectly dry.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading The first thing that struck a visitor was the wonderful box bushes in the hedge enclosing the yard and in a labyrinth in the garden.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading The first thing that struck a visitor was the wonderful box bushes in the hedge enclosing the yard and in a labyrinth in the garden.
clippedadjectiveUS /klɪpt/
cut or trimmed by clipping
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It took days of soaking rain to make those winding paths wet.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading In the labyrinth the bushes met overhead and even after a heavy rain the paths between were perfectly dry.
enclosingnounUS /enˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of enclosing something inside something else
From this reading The first thing that struck a visitor was the wonderful box bushes in the hedge enclosing the yard and in a labyrinth in the garden.
divisible by two
From this reading In the labyrinth the bushes met overhead and even after a heavy rain the paths between were perfectly dry.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first thing that struck a visitor was the wonderful box bushes in the hedge enclosing the yard and in a labyrinth in the garden.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The first thing that struck a visitor was the wonderful box bushes in the hedge enclosing the yard and in a labyrinth in the garden.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
GRANTLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading In the labyrinth the bushes met overhead and even after a heavy rain the paths between were perfectly dry.
hedgeverbUS /hedʒ/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading The first thing that struck a visitor was the wonderful box bushes in the hedge enclosing the yard and in a labyrinth in the garden.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The first thing that struck a visitor was the wonderful box bushes in the hedge enclosing the yard and in a labyrinth in the garden.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
and nothing more
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
labyrinthnounUS /ˈlæbərɪnθ/
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
From this reading The first thing that struck a visitor was the wonderful box bushes in the hedge enclosing the yard and in a labyrinth in the garden.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
engage in
From this reading It took days of soaking rain to make those winding paths wet.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading In the labyrinth the bushes met overhead and even after a heavy rain the paths between were perfectly dry.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading In the labyrinth the bushes met overhead and even after a heavy rain the paths between were perfectly dry.
pathsnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
From this reading In the labyrinth the bushes met overhead and even after a heavy rain the paths between were perfectly dry.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading In the labyrinth the bushes met overhead and even after a heavy rain the paths between were perfectly dry.
by chance
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading In the labyrinth the bushes met overhead and even after a heavy rain the paths between were perfectly dry.
readersnounUS /ˈriːdərz/
plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
soakingnounUS /ˈsoʊkɪŋ/
the process of becoming softened and saturated as a consequence of being immersed in water (or other liquid)
From this reading It took days of soaking rain to make those winding paths wet.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading The first thing that struck a visitor was the wonderful box bushes in the hedge enclosing the yard and in a labyrinth in the garden.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The first thing that struck a visitor was the wonderful box bushes in the hedge enclosing the yard and in a labyrinth in the garden.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
a special situation
From this reading The first thing that struck a visitor was the wonderful box bushes in the hedge enclosing the yard and in a labyrinth in the garden.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It took days of soaking rain to make those winding paths wet.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading It took days of soaking rain to make those winding paths wet.
topsadjectiveUS /tɑːps/
of the highest quality
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
someone who visits
From this reading The first thing that struck a visitor was the wonderful box bushes in the hedge enclosing the yard and in a labyrinth in the garden.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
(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 GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading It took days of soaking rain to make those winding paths wet.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading These bushes were so thick that one could really walk on the tops of them if they were kept clipped, which they were not.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading It took days of soaking rain to make those winding paths wet.
in the company of; together with
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading The first thing that struck a visitor was the wonderful box bushes in the hedge enclosing the yard and in a labyrinth in the garden.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading GRANTLY Since our girls were to become quite intimate with the peculiar old sisters and their home, perhaps it would be just as well for me to give my readers some idea of what Grantly was like.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The first thing that struck a visitor was the wonderful box bushes in the hedge enclosing the yard and in a labyrinth in the garden.
