used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
acceptancenounUS /ækˈseptəns/
the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
alienadjectiveUS /ˈeɪliən/
not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
bat-oil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
biscuitsnounUS /ˈbɪskəts/
plural of “biscuit” — small round bread leavened with baking-powder or soda
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
bookshelvesnounUS /ˈbʊkʃelvz/
plural of “bookshelf” — a shelf on which to keep books
From this reading He passed through the swing-doorway into the library, dark and echoing and groped his way towards the poetry bookshelves.
box-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
an occurrence of something
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
cricketnounUS /ˈkrɪkət/
leaping insect; male makes chirping noises by rubbing the forewings together
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
cunningadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He passed through the swing-doorway into the library, dark and echoing and groped his way towards the poetry bookshelves.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
echoingadjectiveUS /ˈekoʊɪŋ/
(of sounds) repeating by reflection
From this reading He passed through the swing-doorway into the library, dark and echoing and groped his way towards the poetry bookshelves.
EDWINnounUS /ˈedwən/
king of Northumbria who was converted to Christianity (585-633)
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
divisible by two
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
flannelsnounUS /ˈflænəlz/
plural of “flannel” — a soft light woolen fabric; used for clothing
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
set up or found
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
the act of departing
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
gropedverbUS /ɡroʊpt/
past form of “grope” — feel about uncertainly or blindly
From this reading He passed through the swing-doorway into the library, dark and echoing and groped his way towards the poetry bookshelves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
holidaysnounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪz/
plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He passed through the swing-doorway into the library, dark and echoing and groped his way towards the poetry bookshelves.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
a room where books are kept
From this reading He passed through the swing-doorway into the library, dark and echoing and groped his way towards the poetry bookshelves.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
Luke'snounUS /luːks/
possessive form of “luke” — (New Testament) the Apostle closely associated with St. Paul and traditionally assumed to be the author of the third Gospel
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
MIDSUMMERnounUS /ˈmɪdˈsʌmər/
June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
mustinessnoun
the quality of smelling or tasting old or stale or mouldy
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
nettingnounUS /ˈnetɪŋ/
a net of transparent fabric with a loose open weave
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
odournounUS /ˈoʊdər/
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
on one occasion
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading He passed through the swing-doorway into the library, dark and echoing and groped his way towards the poetry bookshelves.
play-boxnoun
a box for a child's toys and personal things (especially at a boarding school)
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
play-boxes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
literature in metrical form
From this reading He passed through the swing-doorway into the library, dark and echoing and groped his way towards the poetry bookshelves.
protectedadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪd/
kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
relishnounUS /ˈrelɪʃ/
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
an educational institution
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
sniffedverbUS /snɪft/
past form of “sniff” — perceive by inhaling through the nose
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
swing-doorway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He passed through the swing-doorway into the library, dark and echoing and groped his way towards the poetry bookshelves.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He passed through the swing-doorway into the library, dark and echoing and groped his way towards the poetry bookshelves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
in the direction of
From this reading He passed through the swing-doorway into the library, dark and echoing and groped his way towards the poetry bookshelves.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading He ran his fingers over the brass netting that protected their case, he even tried his play-box key to see if it had lost its cunning.
unbearableadjectiveUS /ənˈberəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
unpackingverbUS /ənˈpækɪŋ/
-ing form of “unpack” — remove from its packing
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He passed through the swing-doorway into the library, dark and echoing and groped his way towards the poetry bookshelves.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
at the time that
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
which person or people
From this reading It was evening when he arrived, and boys who had come from a greater distance than he were already unpacking their play-boxes in the long box-room.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Edwin sniffed the smell which he had once found so alien—that mingled odour of cricket flannels, biscuits, bat-oil, and faint mustiness, with relish.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
wrenchverbUS /rentʃ/
twist or pull violently or suddenly, especially so as to remove (something) from that to which it is attached or from where it originates
From this reading MIDSUMMER I EDWIN had expected that the wrench of going back to school after these holidays would be unbearable: but when he returned to St. Luke’s next day he was almost astonished at his own acceptance of the change.
