Sprout

to begin to grow, or to produce new growth:

 Our new seedlings have begun to sprout

absorb

to take in a liquid, gas, or chemical:

The black clay soil around here doesn’t absorb water very well.

fig. The country has absorbed millions of immigrants over the years.

cottage

› a small house, usually away from a city or town

 

 

 

 

Stain

to leave a mark on something that is difficult to remove, or to become colored or spoiled by a mark:

 If you stain wood, you put a substance on it that changes its color:

 Instead of painting the woodwork, she stained it dark brown

 Strawberry juice stained my shirt.

 This carpet is practical because it doesn’t stain easily.

Hearth

the floor of a fireplace, and often also the area in front of it

Timid

easily frightened; not brave or confident:

She was timid about swimming in deep water.

cushion

to soften or protect someone or something from the effects of a fall, moving too quickly into something, sitting or lying on a hard object, etc.

 The soft grass cushioned his fall (= made it hurt less).