used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
a quantity of money
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
awkwardlyadverbUS /ˈɔːkwərdli/
in an awkward manner
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
chatteringnounUS /ˈtʃætərɪŋ/
the rapid series of noises made by the parts of a machine
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
concealmentnounUS /kənˈsiːlmənt/
the condition of being concealed or hidden
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
doingsnounUS /ˈduːɪŋz/
manner of acting or controlling yourself
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
foreseenverbUS /ˌfɔːrˈsiːn/
inflected form of “foresee” — realize beforehand
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
yet to be or coming
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
GAMESnounUS /ɡeɪmz/
plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading OLD GAMES.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
LewisnounUS /ˈluːɪs/
United States rock star singer and pianist (born in 1935)
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
most important element
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading OLD GAMES.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
referencesnounUS /ˈrefərənsɪz/
plural of “reference” — a remark that calls attention to something or someone
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
move upward
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
secrecynounUS /ˈsiːkrəsi/
the trait of keeping things secret
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/
in secrecy; not openly
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
in the near future
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
straightforwardadjectiveUS /ˈstreɪtˈfɔːrwərd/
free from ambiguity
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
plural of “tale” — 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 Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
temptedverbUS /ˈtemptɪd/
past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
ThompsonnounUS /ˈtɑːmpsən/
United States classical archaeologist (born in Canada) noted for leading the excavation of the Athenian agora (1906-2000)
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
truthfuladjectiveUS /ˈtruːθfəl/
expressing or given to expressing the truth
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
precisely as stated
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading It was many weeks since the children had started out in such high spirits as they did on the following afternoon.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
at the time that
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As long as they were secretly meeting Lewis, there was always a certain mystery about their doings which, though at first very exciting, soon became oppressive.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Often when chattering about their doings before Miss Thompson or their parents, references to Lewis and his wonderful tales nearly slipped out, and the subject had to be awkwardly changed.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They were in the main truthful, straightforward children, and when they were tempted first to talk to Lewis, and then to promise secrecy about having done so, they had not foreseen what an amount of concealment this conduct would give rise to in the future.
