used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading Reluctantly they left the sand, for this strip of rocky woods was attractive to the point of positive fascination.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading "Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
brinknounUS /brɪŋk/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
choosingverbUS /ˈtʃuːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
Cleo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
dependsverbUS /dɪˈpendz/
third-person singular of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading "Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
every person
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
exploredverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrd/
past form of “explore” — inquire into
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
fascinationnounUS /ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/
the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)
From this reading Reluctantly they left the sand, for this strip of rocky woods was attractive to the point of positive fascination.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Reluctantly they left the sand, for this strip of rocky woods was attractive to the point of positive fascination.
Mae
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
marredadjectiveUS /mɑːrd/
blemished by injury or rough wear
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
in motion
From this reading "Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
navigationnounUS /ˈnævəˈɡeɪʃən/
the guidance of ships or airplanes from place to place
From this reading "Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
not any; not one
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
in other respects or ways
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Reluctantly they left the sand, for this strip of rocky woods was attractive to the point of positive fascination.
poolnounUS /puːl/
an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading Reluctantly they left the sand, for this strip of rocky woods was attractive to the point of positive fascination.
recedingnounUS /rɪˈsiːdɪŋ/
a slow or gradual disappearance
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
ReluctantlyadverbUS /rɪˈlʌktəntli/
with reluctance
From this reading Reluctantly they left the sand, for this strip of rocky woods was attractive to the point of positive fascination.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading Reluctantly they left the sand, for this strip of rocky woods was attractive to the point of positive fascination.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading "Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading "Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
sandyadjectiveUS /ˈsændi/
of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
scamperedverbUS /ˈskæmpərd/
past form of “scamper” — to move about or proceed hurriedly
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
shallowadjectiveUS /ˈʃæloʊ/
lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
slidverbUS /slɪd/
inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
slidenounUS /slaɪd/
a small flat rectangular piece of glass on which specimens can be mounted for microscopic study
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
slidingadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪdɪŋ/
being a smooth continuous motion
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
slopesnounUS /sloʊps/
plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
STRANDEDadjectiveUS /ˈstrændɪd/
cut off or left behind
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading Reluctantly they left the sand, for this strip of rocky woods was attractive to the point of positive fascination.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Reluctantly they left the sand, for this strip of rocky woods was attractive to the point of positive fascination.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Reluctantly they left the sand, for this strip of rocky woods was attractive to the point of positive fascination.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading STRANDED TIME flew as the girls scampered over rocks, slid down sandy slopes, and otherwise "explored" the picturesque retreat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
trickledverbUS /ˈtrɪkəld/
past form of “trickle” — run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
venturingverbUS /ˈventʃərɪŋ/
-ing form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
wadingnounUS /ˈweɪdɪŋ/
walking with your feet in shallow water
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading "Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Everybody had been in wading, choosing a shallow pool that trickled in from the bay and hid behind a wall of sand, now plainly marked, as the tide was receding.
water'snounUS /ˈwɔːtərz/
possessive form of “water” — binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
which person or people
From this reading No accident marred the afternoon, beyond the unexpected slide of Cleo, who, venturing too near the edge, came down to the water's brink by way of a sliding, sandy trail.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading "Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Reluctantly they left the sand, for this strip of rocky woods was attractive to the point of positive fascination.
