A small island (a poetic word)

📝 The little isle in the middle of the loch was covered in heather.

📖 The wishing-chair drifted at last towards a small green isle, rising like a jewel from the glassy sea below.

The edge of land where it meets a body of water

📝 We walked along the rocky shoreline looking for shells.

📖 As soon as the chair touched down on the sandy shoreline, the three friends jumped off, eager to explore.

To try to find out the facts about something by carefully studying it

📝 The scientists went to investigate the strange lights over the loch.

📖 Chinky was eager to investigate every corner of the isle, as he had heard old rumours of singing shells and golden birds hidden among its trees.

Strange and mysterious in a way that is slightly unsettling

📝 There was an uncanny silence in the house that morning.

📖 There was something uncanny about the isle from the start — no seagulls circled overhead, and not a single boat could be seen on the horizon.

The steady flow of a body of water in one direction

📝 A strong current pulled the little rowing boat towards the rocks.

📖 The current around the isle began to shift and quicken, and Chinky's face grew serious as he watched the sea.

To gradually become smaller in size or amount

📝 The pile of biscuits began to dwindle as the party wore on.

📖 The isle itself began to dwindle beneath their feet — the trees leaned in, the beach grew narrower, and the ground softened with every passing minute.

Extremely serious or urgent

📝 The stranded family were in dire need of food and warm clothes.

📖 "To the chair!" cried Chinky in a dire voice. "If we do not fly at this very second, the island will swallow us whole!"

To move or climb quickly, using hands and feet

📝 The boys had to scramble up the muddy bank to reach the path.

📖 Peter and Mollie began to scramble across the sinking sand, their feet slipping deeper with every hurried step.

Not hurt in any way; free from harm

📝 The kitten had climbed the tree but came down completely unharmed.

📖 The wishing-chair rose safely into the air, carrying its three passengers unharmed as the last patch of sand vanished beneath the waves.

A person who watches an event or activity

📝 Every spectator in the stadium rose to their feet at the final whistle.

📖 Peter and Mollie were the only spectators of one of the strangest events they had ever seen — a whole island quietly disappearing beneath the sea.

Extremely surprising or impressive

📝 The magician's final trick was truly astonishing.

📖 Even Chinky, who had lived through many magical events, called the sinking of the isle one of the most astonishing sights he had ever witnessed.

To go completely under water

📝 The submarine began to slowly submerge beneath the waves.

📖 Little by little, the entire isle began to submerge, until at last there was nothing left but the empty, sparkling sea.