Chapter III · Malcolm’s Return

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

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

later than; following

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

(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 Nearly all of them dried up but one clump had remained to welcome the girls.

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

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

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

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

plural of “blossom” — reproductive organ of angiosperm plants especially one having showy or colorful parts

From this reading Virg gathered a few of the scarlet blossoms that grew wild after the rains.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Nearly all of them dried up but one clump had remained to welcome the girls.

plural of “cake” — a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)

From this reading Margaret was carrying a plate of small cakes.

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

From this reading Margaret was carrying a plate of small cakes.

characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading Nearly all of them dried up but one clump had remained to welcome the girls.

inflected form of “don” — put clothing on one's body

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

not still wet

From this reading Nearly all of them dried up but one clump had remained to welcome the girls.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Virg gathered a few of the scarlet blossoms that grew wild after the rains.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

brought together in one place

From this reading Virg gathered a few of the scarlet blossoms that grew wild after the rains.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Virg gathered a few of the scarlet blossoms that grew wild after the rains.

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

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

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

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

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

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

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 four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

take the midday meal

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

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

From this reading Margaret was carrying a plate of small cakes.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

plain-woven cotton fabric

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Nearly all of them dried up but one clump had remained to welcome the girls.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

the middle of the day

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Virg gathered a few of the scarlet blossoms that grew wild after the rains.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading These she placed on the yucca table.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Nearly all of them dried up but one clump had remained to welcome the girls.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading These she placed on the yucca table.

(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score

From this reading Margaret was carrying a plate of small cakes.

plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading Virg gathered a few of the scarlet blossoms that grew wild after the rains.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Nearly all of them dried up but one clump had remained to welcome the girls.

a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge

From this reading Virg gathered a few of the scarlet blossoms that grew wild after the rains.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

a nap in the early afternoon (especially in hot countries)

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Margaret was carrying a plate of small cakes.

in the near future

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading These she placed on the yucca table.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Virg gathered a few of the scarlet blossoms that grew wild after the rains.

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

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These she placed on the yucca table.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

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

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

traveled over or through; sometimes used as a combining term

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Nearly all of them dried up but one clump had remained to welcome the girls.

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

From this reading Virg gathered a few of the scarlet blossoms that grew wild after the rains.

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

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

accept gladly

From this reading Nearly all of them dried up but one clump had remained to welcome the girls.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading Virg gathered a few of the scarlet blossoms that grew wild after the rains.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading It was four in the afternoon and the girls, having had a long siesta after their lunch, had donned their muslin dresses (for the station master had arrived soon after noon with their trunks), and, taking Barbara’s cherished tea set, without which she never traveled, they had hied them to the summer house.

any of several evergreen plants of the genus Yucca having usually tall stout stems and a terminal cluster of white flowers; warmer regions of North America

From this reading These she placed on the yucca table.