used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INTERESTING DITCH.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Now, even during the hottest summer weather this delightful ditch seldom became completely dry.
beech-trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Now, even during the hottest summer weather this delightful ditch seldom became completely dry.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Now, even during the hottest summer weather this delightful ditch seldom became completely dry.
DITCHnounUS /dɪtʃ/
a long narrow excavation in the earth
From this reading AN INTERESTING DITCH.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Now, even during the hottest summer weather this delightful ditch seldom became completely dry.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Now, even during the hottest summer weather this delightful ditch seldom became completely dry.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
Eagle'snounUS /ˈiːɡəlz/
possessive form of “eagle” — any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
divisible by two
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
the act of departing
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
grovenounUS /ɡroʊv/
a small growth of trees without underbrush
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
hottestadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːtəst/
superlative of “hot” — used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading Now, even during the hottest summer weather this delightful ditch seldom became completely dry.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading AN INTERESTING DITCH.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
Madge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
come together
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
NestnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, even during the hottest summer weather this delightful ditch seldom became completely dry.
not divisible by two
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
on one occasion
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
sea-side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
not often
From this reading Now, even during the hottest summer weather this delightful ditch seldom became completely dry.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Now, even during the hottest summer weather this delightful ditch seldom became completely dry.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading Now, even during the hottest summer weather this delightful ditch seldom became completely dry.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
in or at the place that
From this reading It was certainly an odd way to get there, across the fields and through a grove of beech-trees; but where else could they be going, each carrying a boat?
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading They passed by the Eagle's Nest for once without even glancing up at it, and walking a little farther along the field stopped by a deep ditch.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If a stranger had happened to meet Madge, Betty, and John one fine Saturday afternoon a few weeks later in the summer, he would probably have imagined that they were hurrying to the sea-side.
