used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading She skated past Judy Craig, and saw that that eager sophomore was sobbing for breath, and could hardly stand.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE FRESHMAN ELECTION The night was cold, but delightful.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
classmatesnounUS /ˈklæsmeɪts/
plural of “classmate” — an acquaintance that you go to school with
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading THE FRESHMAN ELECTION The night was cold, but delightful.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She skated past Judy Craig, and saw that that eager sophomore was sobbing for breath, and could hardly stand.
Craig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She skated past Judy Craig, and saw that that eager sophomore was sobbing for breath, and could hardly stand.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading THE FRESHMAN ELECTION The night was cold, but delightful.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
diminishingadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃɪŋ/
becoming smaller or less or appearing to do so
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading She skated past Judy Craig, and saw that that eager sophomore was sobbing for breath, and could hardly stand.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading The struggle earlier in the evening had seemed to put the right temper into her muscles.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
ELECTIONnounUS /ɪˈlekʃən/
a vote to select the winner of a position or political office
From this reading THE FRESHMAN ELECTION The night was cold, but delightful.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
EtchingnounUS /ˈetʃɪŋ/
an impression made from an etched plate
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The struggle earlier in the evening had seemed to put the right temper into her muscles.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
FRESHMANnounUS /ˈfreʃmən/
a first-year undergraduate
From this reading THE FRESHMAN ELECTION The night was cold, but delightful.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
only a very short time before
From this reading She skated past Judy Craig, and saw that that eager sophomore was sobbing for breath, and could hardly stand.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The struggle earlier in the evening had seemed to put the right temper into her muscles.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The struggle earlier in the evening had seemed to put the right temper into her muscles.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
Judy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She skated past Judy Craig, and saw that that eager sophomore was sobbing for breath, and could hardly stand.
and nothing more
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
leadersnounUS /ˈliːdərz/
the body of people who lead a group
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
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 Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
musclesnounUS /ˈmʌsəlz/
plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading The struggle earlier in the evening had seemed to put the right temper into her muscles.
NancynounUS /ˈnænsi/
a city in northeastern France in Lorraine
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
NelsonnounUS /ˈnelsən/
English admiral who defeated the French fleets of Napoleon but was mortally wounded at Trafalgar (1758-1805)
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE FRESHMAN ELECTION The night was cold, but delightful.
not any; not one
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading She skated past Judy Craig, and saw that that eager sophomore was sobbing for breath, and could hardly stand.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The struggle earlier in the evening had seemed to put the right temper into her muscles.
any competition
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
retardverbUS /rɪˈtɑːrd/
cause to move more slowly or operate at a slower rate
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The struggle earlier in the evening had seemed to put the right temper into her muscles.
cut with a saw
From this reading She skated past Judy Craig, and saw that that eager sophomore was sobbing for breath, and could hardly stand.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The struggle earlier in the evening had seemed to put the right temper into her muscles.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
skatedverbUS /ˈskeɪtɪd/
past form of “skate” — move along on skates
From this reading She skated past Judy Craig, and saw that that eager sophomore was sobbing for breath, and could hardly stand.
skatesnounUS /skeɪts/
plural of “skate” — sports equipment that is worn on the feet to enable the wearer to glide along and to be propelled by the alternate actions of the legs
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
sobbingnounUS /ˈsɑːbɪŋ/
convulsive gasp made while weeping
From this reading She skated past Judy Craig, and saw that that eager sophomore was sobbing for breath, and could hardly stand.
sophomorenounUS /ˈsɑːfmɔːr/
a second-year undergraduate
From this reading She skated past Judy Craig, and saw that that eager sophomore was sobbing for breath, and could hardly stand.
be standing; be upright
From this reading She skated past Judy Craig, and saw that that eager sophomore was sobbing for breath, and could hardly stand.
make steady
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading The struggle earlier in the evening had seemed to put the right temper into her muscles.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading The struggle earlier in the evening had seemed to put the right temper into her muscles.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She skated past Judy Craig, and saw that that eager sophomore was sobbing for breath, and could hardly stand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FRESHMAN ELECTION The night was cold, but delightful.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Nancy Nelson had never felt so sure upon her skates, or so able to keep up her steady stroke for a long distance, as she did now.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FRESHMAN ELECTION The night was cold, but delightful.
which person or people
From this reading Having been relieved by Miss Etching of the two girls--her own classmates--who had attempted to retard her progress, Nancy kept on and on, seeing the distance between herself and the leaders in the race diminishing--by no effort of her own, it seemed--and just enjoying herself.
