used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
AcademynounUS /əˈkæd.ə.mi/
A place of study or training in a special field of knowledge and arts.
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
armourynoun
a collection of resources
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
attacksnounUS /əˈtæks/
plural of “attack” — (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
boundsnounUS /baʊndz/
the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something
From this reading But in the game that was our childhood, the garden was out of bounds in winter-time, and we had to seek other lairs.
BowlernounUS /ˈboʊlər/
a cricketer who delivers the ball to the batsman in cricket
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in the game that was our childhood, the garden was out of bounds in winter-time, and we had to seek other lairs.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading But in the game that was our childhood, the garden was out of bounds in winter-time, and we had to seek other lairs.
climbableadjective
capable of being ascended
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
clothing in general
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
earthyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrθi/
conspicuously and tastelessly indecent
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
ebook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
EditorsnounUS /ˈedɪtərz/
plural of “editor” — a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading But in the game that was our childhood, the garden was out of bounds in winter-time, and we had to seek other lairs.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
GazettenounUS /ɡəˈzet/
a newspaper or official journal
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
groundlings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
grown-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But in the game that was our childhood, the garden was out of bounds in winter-time, and we had to seek other lairs.
harshnessnounUS /ˈhɑːrʃnəs/
the roughness of a substance that causes abrasions
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
hermitagenounUS /ˈhɜːrmətədʒ/
the abode of a hermit
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
hostileadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːstəl/
characterized by enmity or ill will
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
insectsnounUS /ˈɪnsekts/
plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
lairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in the game that was our childhood, the garden was out of bounds in winter-time, and we had to seek other lairs.
LesnounUS /les/
plural of “le” — a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
MallnounUS /mɔːl/
a public area set aside as a pedestrian walk
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
OlympusnounUS /oʊˈlɪmpəs/
a mountain peak in northeast Greece near the Aegean coast; believed by ancient Greeks to be the dwelling place of the gods (9,570 feet high)
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
on one occasion
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading But in the game that was our childhood, the garden was out of bounds in winter-time, and we had to seek other lairs.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But in the game that was our childhood, the garden was out of bounds in winter-time, and we had to seek other lairs.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But in the game that was our childhood, the garden was out of bounds in winter-time, and we had to seek other lairs.
PallverbUS /pɑːl/
become less interesting or attractive
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
approval to do something
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
repelverbUS /rɪˈpel/
cause to move back by force or influence
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
reprintnounUS /riˈprɪnt/
a publication (such as a book) that is reprinted without changes or editing and offered again for sale
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
schoolroomnounUS /ˈskuːlruːm/
a room in a school where lessons take place
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
try to get or reach
From this reading But in the game that was our childhood, the garden was out of bounds in winter-time, and we had to seek other lairs.
shadyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdi/
quiet, dark, or concealed
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
shrubnounUS /ʃrʌb/
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
smellsnounUS /smelz/
plural of “smell” — the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
summer-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
tiresomeadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərsəm/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
tool-shed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
transcribedadjectiveUS /trænˈskraɪbd/
recorded for broadcast
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
tree-stump
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
undueadjectiveUS /ənˈduː/
not yet payable
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In summer-time this was an easy matter; once fairly escaped into the garden, any climbable tree or shady shrub provided us with a hermitage.
VanitynounUS /ˈvænəti/
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/
plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
at the time that
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
winter-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in the game that was our childhood, the garden was out of bounds in winter-time, and we had to seek other lairs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading WHEN elder brothers insisted on their rights with undue harshness, or when the grown-up people descended from Olympus with a tiresome tale of broken furniture and torn clothes, the groundlings of the schoolroom went into retreat.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was a hollow tree-stump full of exciting insects and pleasant earthy smells that never failed us, or, for wet days, the tool-shed, with its armoury of weapons with which, in imagination, we would repel the attacks of hostile forces.
