used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ned and Laurie were awakened from a deep slumber by the imperative clanging of a gong.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ned and Laurie were awakened from a deep slumber by the imperative clanging of a gong.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Breakfast followed in the pleasant, sunlit dining-hall, and at half-past eight the twins went to their first class.
awakenedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪkənd/
aroused or activated
From this reading Ned and Laurie were awakened from a deep slumber by the imperative clanging of a gong.
bath-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were hurried trips to the bath-room, and finally a descent to the recreation-room and morning prayers.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading School began in earnest the next morning.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Breakfast followed in the pleasant, sunlit dining-hall, and at half-past eight the twins went to their first class.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Ned and Laurie were awakened from a deep slumber by the imperative clanging of a gong.
clangingadjectiveUS /ˈklæŋɪŋ/
having a loud resonant metallic sound
From this reading Ned and Laurie were awakened from a deep slumber by the imperative clanging of a gong.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading Breakfast followed in the pleasant, sunlit dining-hall, and at half-past eight the twins went to their first class.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Ned and Laurie were awakened from a deep slumber by the imperative clanging of a gong.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading There were hurried trips to the bath-room, and finally a descent to the recreation-room and morning prayers.
dining-hallnoun
a large room at a college or university; used especially for dining
From this reading Breakfast followed in the pleasant, sunlit dining-hall, and at half-past eight the twins went to their first class.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading School began in earnest the next morning.
being one more than seven
From this reading Breakfast followed in the pleasant, sunlit dining-hall, and at half-past eight the twins went to their first class.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading There were hurried trips to the bath-room, and finally a descent to the recreation-room and morning prayers.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Breakfast followed in the pleasant, sunlit dining-hall, and at half-past eight the twins went to their first class.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Breakfast followed in the pleasant, sunlit dining-hall, and at half-past eight the twins went to their first class.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Ned and Laurie were awakened from a deep slumber by the imperative clanging of a gong.
gongnounUS /ɡɔːŋ/
a percussion instrument consisting of a metal plate that is struck with a softheaded drumstick
From this reading Ned and Laurie were awakened from a deep slumber by the imperative clanging of a gong.
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Breakfast followed in the pleasant, sunlit dining-hall, and at half-past eight the twins went to their first class.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading There wasn’t much real work performed that morning, however.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading There were hurried trips to the bath-room, and finally a descent to the recreation-room and morning prayers.
imperativeadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈperətɪv/
requiring attention or action
From this reading Ned and Laurie were awakened from a deep slumber by the imperative clanging of a gong.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading School began in earnest the next morning.
Laurie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ned and Laurie were awakened from a deep slumber by the imperative clanging of a gong.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading School began in earnest the next morning.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading There wasn’t much real work performed that morning, however.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ned and Laurie were awakened from a deep slumber by the imperative clanging of a gong.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading School began in earnest the next morning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ned and Laurie were awakened from a deep slumber by the imperative clanging of a gong.
performedverbUS /pərˈfɔːrmd/
past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action
From this reading There wasn’t much real work performed that morning, however.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading Breakfast followed in the pleasant, sunlit dining-hall, and at half-past eight the twins went to their first class.
plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading There were hurried trips to the bath-room, and finally a descent to the recreation-room and morning prayers.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading There wasn’t much real work performed that morning, however.
recreation-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were hurried trips to the bath-room, and finally a descent to the recreation-room and morning prayers.
an educational institution
From this reading School began in earnest the next morning.
slumbernounUS /ˈslʌmbər/
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Ned and Laurie were awakened from a deep slumber by the imperative clanging of a gong.
sunlitadjectiveUS /ˈsʌnlɪt/
lighted by sunlight
From this reading Breakfast followed in the pleasant, sunlit dining-hall, and at half-past eight the twins went to their first class.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There wasn’t much real work performed that morning, however.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading School began in earnest the next morning.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Breakfast followed in the pleasant, sunlit dining-hall, and at half-past eight the twins went to their first class.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were hurried trips to the bath-room, and finally a descent to the recreation-room and morning prayers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There were hurried trips to the bath-room, and finally a descent to the recreation-room and morning prayers.
tripsnounUS /trɪps/
plural of “trip” — a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading There were hurried trips to the bath-room, and finally a descent to the recreation-room and morning prayers.
twinsnounUS /twɪnz/
(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other
From this reading Breakfast followed in the pleasant, sunlit dining-hall, and at half-past eight the twins went to their first class.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There wasn’t much real work performed that morning, however.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Breakfast followed in the pleasant, sunlit dining-hall, and at half-past eight the twins went to their first class.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ned and Laurie were awakened from a deep slumber by the imperative clanging of a gong.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading There wasn’t much real work performed that morning, however.
