Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There was thunder about, and frequent rain.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

painful from having the skin abraded

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

concluding state of pregnancy; from the onset of contractions to the birth of a child

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

unvarying in nature

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

causing debilitation

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

divisible by two

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

every person

From this reading It was trying for everybody.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was trying for everybody.

do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of

From this reading There was thunder about, and frequent rain.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

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 Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

the month following May and preceding July

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

past form of “necessitate” — require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

located, suited for, or taking place in the open air

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

covered with water

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading There was thunder about, and frequent rain.

free from harm or evil

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

an educational institution

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

plural of “shower” — a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

extremely wet

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

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 constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was thunder about, and frequent rain.

move fast, noisily, and heavily

From this reading There was thunder about, and frequent rain.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

hard to endure

From this reading It was trying for everybody.

urgently needed; absolutely necessary

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading Gwen to the Rescue It was now the middle of June, and the weather, even at Skelwick, was hot and enervating.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

belonging to which person

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading The constant heavy showers necessitated carrying mackintoshes to school, as if it were winter; the lawn was too wet and sopping for tennis, and most outdoor plans had to be abandoned.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The boys, overflowing with high spirits, chafed at confinement to the house, and their noise was a serious impediment to Gwen, whose evening preparation was a matter of vital importance at present.