garden-path

American  

[gahr-dn-path, -pahth] / ˈgɑr dnˌpæθ, -ˌpɑθ /

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to a sentence that is easily parsed incorrectly because its beginning suggests it has an interpretation that it clearly does not have.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

garden-path

Olivia felt as if she were dreaming as she followed the little procession down the dark garden-path.

From Doctor Luttrell's First Patient by Carey, Rosa Nouchette

He turns involuntarily into the garden-path where, but a short time since, he had soothed her agitation and dried her tears.

From 'O Thou, My Austria!' by Schubin, Ossip

The two stooping figures went down the garden-path, with Rob’s stalwart form towering behind, and the three women who loved them watched from the window, and murmured benedictions in their hearts.

From More About Peggy by Unknown

The movement of your hands is the long, golden running of light from a rising sun; It is the hopping of birds upon a garden-path.

From American Poetry, 1922 A Miscellany by Various

Wandering with the children down the garden-path, idly she plucked a red rose and laid its cheek against a white one already in her hand.

From A Warwickshire Lad The Story of the Boyhood of William Shakespeare by Martin, George Madden