To talk or think fondly about something from the past

📝 The old friends liked to reminisce about their childhood summers.

📖 For years to come Peter and Mollie would reminisce about the summer of the wishing-chair, laughing at every remembered close escape.

The act of leaving one another; a farewell

📝 It was a tearful parting at the station on Sunday morning.

📖 It was a quiet parting on the last night of the holidays, with Chinky perched proudly on the arm of the chair for one final ride.

The state of caring for or having charge of someone or something

📝 The rare painting was placed in the custody of the National Gallery.

📖 The wishing-chair would spend the school term in the custody of Pixie Land, where Chinky himself had promised to look after it.

To make a solemn promise

📝 The scouts had to vow to look after the environment.

📖 Chinky raised his little hand and did solemnly vow to oil the wings, keep the seat polished, and return the chair the moment the summer began.

An adventurous or reckless piece of behaviour

📝 The rescued kitten's rooftop escapade had frightened the whole street.

📖 Every escapade — the giants, the wizard, the vanishing island — had brought the three friends closer than they had ever imagined possible.

A memory of something that happened

📝 Her clearest recollection of that summer was the smell of cut grass.

📖 Every corner of the playroom now held a bright recollection: the chair rides, the giants, the wizard, and one very friendly Snoogle.

To shine softly, especially with reflected light

📝 The polished silver spoons began to gleam under the kitchen light.

📖 Mollie insisted on giving the chair one last polish so that its wooden back would gleam properly for its journey home.

In a gentle, loving, and careful way

📝 She held the newborn puppy tenderly in her arms.

📖 Chinky patted the wooden arm of the wishing-chair tenderly, as though it were a favourite pet about to go on a long journey.

To greet or acknowledge someone with a respectful gesture

📝 The soldiers raised their hands to salute as the flag passed by.

📖 As the chair rose, Chinky gave a small, proud salute from the seat, and Peter and Mollie saluted seriously back from the playroom window.

Shining brightly; giving off a warm, glowing light

📝 The bride looked radiant in the church doorway.

📖 The evening sun was radiant on the red wings of the wishing-chair as it rose one last time above the treetops of the garden.

Hopeful and confident about the future

📝 She was optimistic that the missing dog would be found soon.

📖 The children went to bed feeling wonderfully optimistic, already counting down the days until the next summer holiday would bring the chair back.

Feeling warm affection towards someone or something

📝 Grandpa was very fond of his old brown teapot.

📖 Peter and Mollie had grown truly fond of Chinky and the wishing-chair — this was not a goodbye, they told themselves, only a see-you-soon.