used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
archaeologistnounUS /ˌɑːrkiˈɑːlədʒɪst/
an anthropologist who studies prehistoric people and their culture
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
boyhoodnounUS /ˈbɔɪhʊd/
the childhood of a boy
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
ClarencenounUS /ˈklerəns/
a closed carriage with four wheels and seats for four passengers
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
a steep high face of rock
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
cruiseverbUS /kruːz/
drive around aimlessly but ostentatiously and at leisure
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
dangersnounUS /ˈdeɪndʒərz/
plural of “danger” — the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
direadjectiveUS /daɪr/
fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He felt that without intending to do so he had shirked a responsibility.
dreadedadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
entrustedverbUS /enˈtrʌstɪd/
past form of “entrust” — confer a trust upon
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt that without intending to do so he had shirked a responsibility.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He felt that without intending to do so he had shirked a responsibility.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He felt that without intending to do so he had shirked a responsibility.
headstrongadjectiveUS /ˈhedstrɔːŋ/
habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
impulsesnounUS /ˈɪmpəlsɪz/
plural of “impulse” — an instinctive motive
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
intendingverbUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪŋ/
-ing form of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose
From this reading He felt that without intending to do so he had shirked a responsibility.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
a narrow way or road
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
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 No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
and nothing more
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Clarence Neale was more than that.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
Neale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
Nicky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
not any; not one
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
approval to do something
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
recallverbUS /ˈriːkɔːl/
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
relativesnounUS /ˈrelətɪvz/
plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
responsibilitynounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading He felt that without intending to do so he had shirked a responsibility.
express in words
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
scholarnounUS /ˈskɒl.ər/
A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
shirkedverbUS /ʃɜːrkt/
past form of “shirk” — avoid (one's assigned duties)
From this reading He felt that without intending to do so he had shirked a responsibility.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He felt that without intending to do so he had shirked a responsibility.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
tameverbUS /teɪm/
correct by punishment or discipline
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Clarence Neale was more than that.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
male cat
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
whereaboutsnounUS /ˈwerəbaʊts/
the general location where something is
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He felt that without intending to do so he had shirked a responsibility.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
worriedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrid/
afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To say that Clarence Neale, the leader at the start of the Mystery Boys’ adventure, was worried would be a tame statement of the truth.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Mr. Gray, the scholar and writer, had entrusted Cliff to his care on an adventure that promised to be merely a cruise; Nicky Lane, and Tom, had come under his protection without permission from their relatives; and not one of them was with him, nor was their whereabouts known to him.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading No wonder the young archaeologist, himself not too far from boyhood to recall what dangers its headstrong impulses lead to, dreaded many dire things.
