used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
blue-greenadjective
of a bluish shade of green
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
brilliantlyadverbUS /ˈbrɪljəntli/
with brightness
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
butterfliesnounUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪz/
plural of “butterfly” — diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wings
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
Chalk-Blues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
the body of faculty and students of a college
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
being joined in close association
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
command with authority
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
a social unit living together
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
set up or found
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
hedgeverbUS /hedʒ/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
holidaysnounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪz/
plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
Lettice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
and nothing more
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
not in physical motion
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
not any; not one
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
partnernounUS /ˈpɑːrtnər/
a person's partner in marriage
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
privetnoun
any of various Old World shrubs having smooth entire leaves and terminal panicles of small white flowers followed by small black berries; many used for hedges
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
with speed
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
ruffledadjectiveUS /ˈrʌfəld/
shaken into waves or undulations as by wind
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
tennisnounUS /ˈtenəs/
a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
male cat
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
precisely as stated
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
victoriousadjectiveUS /vɪkˈtɔːriəs/
having won
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
a message informing of danger
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
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 The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
in or at the place that
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
