adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
affairsnounUS /əˈferz/
matters of personal concern
From this reading So unusual a state of affairs was noticed by the senior boy.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
angernounUS /ˈæŋɡər/
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
apparentadjectiveUS /əˈperənt/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
approachverbUS /əˈproʊtʃ/
move towards
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
boynounUS /bɔɪ/
a youthful male person
From this reading So unusual a state of affairs was noticed by the senior boy.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
breakingnounUS /ˈbreɪkɪŋ/
the act of breaking something
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading So unusual a state of affairs was noticed by the senior boy.
calmverbUS /kɑːm/
make calm or still
From this reading It was the calm that precedes a storm.
capableadjectiveUS /ˈkeɪpəbəl/
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
centrenounUS /ˈsentər/
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
clatteringverbUS /ˈklætərɪŋ/
-ing form of “clatter” — make a rattling sound
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
cloistersnounUS /ˈklɔɪstərz/
plural of “cloister” — residence that is a place of religious seclusion (such as a monastery)
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
collegenounUS /ˈkɑːlɪdʒ/
the body of faculty and students of a college
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
comparedverbUS /kəmˈperd/
past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
death-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
desksnounUS /desks/
plural of “desk” — a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
equanimitynounUS /ˌek.wəˈnɪm.ə.t̬i/
Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
formedadjectiveUS /fɔːrmd/
having or given a form or shape
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
furynounUS /ˈfjʊri/
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
groupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
Helstonleigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
inaptly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the calm that precedes a storm.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
lakenounUS /leɪk/
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
legsnounUS /leɡz/
staying power
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
lungsnounUS /lʌŋz/
plural of “lung” — either of two saclike respiratory organs in the chest of vertebrates; serves to remove carbon dioxide and provide oxygen to the blood
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
noisenounUS /nɔɪz/
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
noticedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəst/
being perceived or observed
From this reading So unusual a state of affairs was noticed by the senior boy.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
observedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
precedesverbUS /prɪˈsiːdz/
third-person singular of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading It was the calm that precedes a storm.
quietlyadverbUS /ˈkwaɪətli/
with low volume
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
reachingnounUS /ˈriːtʃɪŋ/
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
rumournounUS /ˈruːmər/
gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
schoolnounUS /skuːl/
an educational institution
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
senioradjectiveUS /ˈsiːnjər/
older; higher in rank; longer in length of tenure or service
From this reading So unusual a state of affairs was noticed by the senior boy.
seniorsnounUS /ˈsiːnjərz/
plural of “senior” — an undergraduate student during the year preceding graduation
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
shooknounUS /ʃʊk/
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So unusual a state of affairs was noticed by the senior boy.
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
statenounUS /steɪt/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading So unusual a state of affairs was noticed by the senior boy.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
stolenounUS /stoʊl/
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
stormverbUS /stɔːrm/
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
suddenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌdən/
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
surfacenounUS /ˈsɜːrfəs/
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
undercurrentnounUS /ˈʌndərkɜːrənt/
a subdued emotional quality underlying an utterance; implicit meaning
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
unnaturaladjectiveUS /ənˈnætʃərəl/
not in accordance with or determined by nature; contrary to nature
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
unusualadjectiveUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəl/
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading So unusual a state of affairs was noticed by the senior boy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the calm that precedes a storm.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Not inaptly might the cloisters of Helstonleigh be compared to this, that day, when the college boys were let out of school at one o’clock.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
whisperersnounUS /ˈwɪspərɜːrz/
plural of “whisperer” — one who speaks in a whisper
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A strange rumour had been passed about amongst the desks--not reaching that at which sat the seniors--a rumour which shook the equanimity of the school to its centre; and, when one o’clock struck, the boys, instead of clattering out with all the noise of which their legs and lungs were capable, stole down the stairs quietly, and formed into groups of whisperers in the cloisters.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Have you ever observed a large lake on the approach of a sudden storm?--its unnatural stillness, death-like and ominous; its undercurrent of anger not yet apparent on the surface; and then the breaking forth of fury when the storm has come?
