used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
equally
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Strangest of all to Prissy was the indubitable fact that Hugh John wanted to go.
ambitionsnounUS /æmˈbɪʃənz/
plural of “ambition” — a cherished desire
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
spiritual being attendant upon God
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
batnounUS /bæt/
nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
CarternounUS /ˈkɑːrtər/
Englishman and Egyptologist who in 1922 discovered and excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen (1873-1939)
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
Cissyadjective
having unsuitable feminine qualities
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
cricketnounUS /ˈkrɪkət/
leaping insect; male makes chirping noises by rubbing the forewings together
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
disbandedverbUS /dɪsˈbændɪd/
past form of “disband” — cause to break up or cease to function
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Strangest of all to Prissy was the indubitable fact that Hugh John wanted to go.
widely known and esteemed
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
fellowshipnounUS /ˈfeloʊʃɪp/
an association of people who share common beliefs or activities
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
footballnounUS /ˈfʊtbɔːl/
any of various games played with a ball (round or oval) in which two teams try to kick or carry or propel the ball into each other's goal
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
foundationsnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃənz/
plural of “foundation” — the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
governesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
HUGH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HUGH JOHN'S WAY-GOING.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
indubitableadjective
too obvious to be doubted
From this reading Strangest of all to Prissy was the indubitable fact that Hugh John wanted to go.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
JOHN'SnounUS /dʒɑːnz/
possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading HUGH JOHN'S WAY-GOING.
kickingnounUS /ˈkɪkɪŋ/
a rhythmic thrusting movement of the legs as in swimming or calisthenics
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
knightsnounUS /naɪts/
plural of “knight” — originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
make reference to
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
merciesnounUS /ˈmɜːrsiːz/
plural of “mercy” — leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
ministeringverbUS /ˈmɪnɪstrɪŋ/
-ing form of “minister” — attend to the wants and needs of others
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
noblestadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊblɪst/
superlative of “noble” — impressive in appearance
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
oilingverbUS /ˈɔɪlɪŋ/
-ing form of “oil” — cover with oil, as if by rubbing
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
oppressedadjectiveUS /əˈprest/
burdened psychologically or mentally
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
Picton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
PrissyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪsi/
exaggeratedly proper
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
with little or no delay
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
Sammy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
an educational institution
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
StrangestadjectiveUS /ˈstreɪndʒɪst/
superlative of “strange” — being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Strangest of all to Prissy was the indubitable fact that Hugh John wanted to go.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
tomboynounUS /ˈtɑːmbɔɪ/
a girl who behaves in a boyish manner
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
undercutnounUS /ˈʌndərkʌt/
the material removed by a cut made underneath
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
precisely as stated
From this reading At the very first mention of school he promptly forgot all about his noblest military ambitions, and began oiling his cricket bat and kicking his football all over the green.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Strangest of all to Prissy was the indubitable fact that Hugh John wanted to go.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
WAY-GOING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HUGH JOHN'S WAY-GOING.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The secret which had oppressed society after the return of Mr. Picton Smith from London, being revealed, was that Hugh John and Sammy Carter were both to go to school.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading For a while it appeared as if the foundations of the world had been undercut--the famous fellowship of noble knights disbanded, Prissy and Cissy, ministering angel and wild tomboy, alike abandoned to the tender mercies of mere governesses.
