used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That morning the tide was low, and Hole-in-the-Wall Stairs ended in a causeway in the midst of a little flat of gravel and mud.
matters of personal concern
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading On the day after the man was stabbed at our side door I saw them both.
all-fours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
alleynounUS /ˈæli/
a narrow street with walls on both sides
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On the day after the man was stabbed at our side door I saw them both.
bar-parlour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
the two together, not just one
From this reading On the day after the man was stabbed at our side door I saw them both.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
causewayverbUS /ˈkɑːzweɪ/
provide with a causeway
From this reading That morning the tide was low, and Hole-in-the-Wall Stairs ended in a causeway in the midst of a little flat of gravel and mud.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading On the day after the man was stabbed at our side door I saw them both.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
discoveriesnounUS /dɪˈskʌvəriz/
plural of “discovery” — the act of discovering something
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading On the day after the man was stabbed at our side door I saw them both.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
one or the other of two
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading That morning the tide was low, and Hole-in-the-Wall Stairs ended in a causeway in the midst of a little flat of gravel and mud.
the organ of sight
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading That morning the tide was low, and Hole-in-the-Wall Stairs ended in a causeway in the midst of a little flat of gravel and mud.
foreshorenoun
the part of the seashore between the highwater mark and the low-water mark
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
gravelnounUS /ˈɡrævəl/
rock fragments and pebbles
From this reading That morning the tide was low, and Hole-in-the-Wall Stairs ended in a causeway in the midst of a little flat of gravel and mud.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
heavingnounUS /ˈhiːvɪŋ/
an upward movement (especially a rhythmical rising and falling)
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
Hole-in-the-Wallnoun
a small unpretentious out-of-the-way place
From this reading That morning the tide was low, and Hole-in-the-Wall Stairs ended in a causeway in the midst of a little flat of gravel and mud.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
informverbUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrm/
impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading That morning the tide was low, and Hole-in-the-Wall Stairs ended in a causeway in the midst of a little flat of gravel and mud.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading That morning the tide was low, and Hole-in-the-Wall Stairs ended in a causeway in the midst of a little flat of gravel and mud.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading On the day after the man was stabbed at our side door I saw them both.
Marr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading That morning the tide was low, and Hole-in-the-Wall Stairs ended in a causeway in the midst of a little flat of gravel and mud.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading That morning the tide was low, and Hole-in-the-Wall Stairs ended in a causeway in the midst of a little flat of gravel and mud.
morning'snounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/
possessive form of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading That morning the tide was low, and Hole-in-the-Wall Stairs ended in a causeway in the midst of a little flat of gravel and mud.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
Nat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
not any; not one
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
nowherenounUS /ˈnoʊwer/
an insignificant place
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
many times at short intervals
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the day after the man was stabbed at our side door I saw them both.
on one occasion
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading On the day after the man was stabbed at our side door I saw them both.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
partnersnounUS /ˈpɑːrtnərz/
plural of “partner” — a person's partner in marriage
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
pebblesnounUS /ˈpebəlz/
plural of “pebble” — a small smooth rounded rock
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
peepverbUS /piːp/
look furtively
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
participate in games or sport
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
rakingverbUS /ˈreɪkɪŋ/
-ing form of “rake” — move through with or as if with a rake
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
cut with a saw
From this reading On the day after the man was stabbed at our side door I saw them both.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On the day after the man was stabbed at our side door I saw them both.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
stabbedverbUS /stæbd/
inflected form of “stab” — use a knife on
From this reading On the day after the man was stabbed at our side door I saw them both.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading That morning the tide was low, and Hole-in-the-Wall Stairs ended in a causeway in the midst of a little flat of gravel and mud.
STEPHEN'SnounUS /ˈstiːvənz/
possessive form of “stephen” — English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
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 STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That morning the tide was low, and Hole-in-the-Wall Stairs ended in a causeway in the midst of a little flat of gravel and mud.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading On the day after the man was stabbed at our side door I saw them both.
in or at that place or location
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading That morning the tide was low, and Hole-in-the-Wall Stairs ended in a causeway in the midst of a little flat of gravel and mud.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
two times
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
undertakingnounUS /ˈʌndərteɪkɪŋ/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
Viney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STEPHEN'S TALE I had never seen either of the partners in the firm of Viney and Marr: as I may have said already.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the day after the man was stabbed at our side door I saw them both.
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 So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
watermennounUS /ˈwɔːtərmən/
plural of “waterman” — someone who drives or rides in a boat
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So, since the mud was nowhere dangerous, and there was no deep water to fall into, I was allowed to go down the steps alone and play on the foreshore while Grandfather Nat was busy with his morning's affairs; the two or three watermen lying by the causeway undertaking to keep an eye on me.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And there I took my pleasure as I would, now raking in the wet pebbles, and heaving over big stones that often pulled me on to all-fours, now climbing the stairs to peep along the alley, and once or twice running as far as the bar-parlour door to report myself to Grandfather Nat, and inform him of my discoveries.
