used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
AbbeynounUS /ˈæbi/
a church associated with a monastery or convent
From this reading She and he were alone at the Abbey.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
advisabilitynounUS /ˌædvaɪzəˈbɪlɪti/
the quality of being advisable
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading She and he were alone at the Abbey.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
CarolineadjectiveUS /ˈkerəlaɪn/
of or relating to the life and times of kings Charles I or Charles II of England
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
deliciousadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪʃəs/
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
dewyadjectiveUS /ˈduːi/
wet with dew
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
discussverbUS /dɪˈskʌs/
to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
discussedverbUS /dɪˈskʌst/
past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
freshnessnounUS /ˈfreʃnəs/
the property of being pure and fresh (as if newly made); not stale or deteriorated
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
the act of giving
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She and he were alone at the Abbey.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
only a very short time before
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
seizeverbUS /siːz/
take hold of; grab
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She and he were alone at the Abbey.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
southwardadverbUS /ˈsaʊθwərd/
toward the south
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
move an implement through
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
townsnounUS /taʊnz/
plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
unspoiltadjective
not left to spoil
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
precisely as stated
From this reading A MORNING RIDE Caroline and her father rode out very early one morning at the beginning of June.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One of the habits they had formed was to seize to themselves the delicious freshness of the new day, unspoilt by the smoke and stir of towns.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She and he were alone at the Abbey.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They discussed it now as they rode across the dewy grass of the park, on their way to the high ground which would bring them to their favourite view across miles of southward facing country to the sea.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading After more than a year in which the London house had scarcely been used, they were beginning to discuss the advisability of giving it up altogether.
