used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
using the voice; not silently
From this reading "Yes, she'll look a little better for a bit of attention, I think," said Andy, half aloud.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The bat was a favorite he had used while at Milton, and he was considering having it sand-papered and oiled.
Andy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Or, rather, he was considering doing the work himself, for he would not trust his choicest stick to the hands of another.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "Though I don't know as I can bat any better with it."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Though I don't know as I can bat any better with it."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The bat was a favorite he had used while at Milton, and he was considering having it sand-papered and oiled.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading "Yes, she'll look a little better for a bit of attention, I think," said Andy, half aloud.
batnounUS /bæt/
nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "Yes, she'll look a little better for a bit of attention, I think," said Andy, half aloud.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading "Yes, she'll look a little better for a bit of attention, I think," said Andy, half aloud.
BlairnounUS /bler/
British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Though I don't know as I can bat any better with it."
taking care or paying attention
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
choicestadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɔɪsəst/
superlative of “choice” — of superior grade
From this reading Or, rather, he was considering doing the work himself, for he would not trust his choicest stick to the hands of another.
closetnounUS /ˈklɑːzət/
a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
-ing form of “consider” — deem to be
From this reading The bat was a favorite he had used while at Milton, and he was considering having it sand-papered and oiled.
containingverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
DIAMONDnounUS /ˈdaɪmənd/
a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Or, rather, he was considering doing the work himself, for he would not trust his choicest stick to the hands of another.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Though I don't know as I can bat any better with it."
examiningverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
something regarded with special favor or liking
From this reading The bat was a favorite he had used while at Milton, and he was considering having it sand-papered and oiled.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Or, rather, he was considering doing the work himself, for he would not trust his choicest stick to the hands of another.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading "Yes, she'll look a little better for a bit of attention, I think," said Andy, half aloud.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Or, rather, he was considering doing the work himself, for he would not trust his choicest stick to the hands of another.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The bat was a favorite he had used while at Milton, and he was considering having it sand-papered and oiled.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Or, rather, he was considering doing the work himself, for he would not trust his choicest stick to the hands of another.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Yes, she'll look a little better for a bit of attention, I think," said Andy, half aloud.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The bat was a favorite he had used while at Milton, and he was considering having it sand-papered and oiled.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Though I don't know as I can bat any better with it."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Yes, she'll look a little better for a bit of attention, I think," said Andy, half aloud.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "Yes, she'll look a little better for a bit of attention, I think," said Andy, half aloud.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
MiltonnounUS /ˈmɪltən/
English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)
From this reading The bat was a favorite he had used while at Milton, and he was considering having it sand-papered and oiled.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Or, rather, he was considering doing the work himself, for he would not trust his choicest stick to the hands of another.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
oiledadjectiveUS /ɔɪld/
treated with oil
From this reading The bat was a favorite he had used while at Milton, and he was considering having it sand-papered and oiled.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Or, rather, he was considering doing the work himself, for he would not trust his choicest stick to the hands of another.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
possessionsnounUS /pəˈzeʃənz/
plural of “possession” — the act of having and controlling property
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
on the contrary
From this reading Or, rather, he was considering doing the work himself, for he would not trust his choicest stick to the hands of another.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Yes, she'll look a little better for a bit of attention, I think," said Andy, half aloud.
sand-papered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bat was a favorite he had used while at Milton, and he was considering having it sand-papered and oiled.
she'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes, she'll look a little better for a bit of attention, I think," said Andy, half aloud.
sportingadjectiveUS /ˈspɔːrtɪŋ/
exhibiting or calling for sportsmanship or fair play
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading Or, rather, he was considering doing the work himself, for he would not trust his choicest stick to the hands of another.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading ON THE DIAMOND Andy Blair stood in the middle of his room, carefully examining a bat he had taken from a closet containing, among other possessions, his sporting things.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Yes, she'll look a little better for a bit of attention, I think," said Andy, half aloud.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "Though I don't know as I can bat any better with it."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Or, rather, he was considering doing the work himself, for he would not trust his choicest stick to the hands of another.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading Or, rather, he was considering doing the work himself, for he would not trust his choicest stick to the hands of another.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The bat was a favorite he had used while at Milton, and he was considering having it sand-papered and oiled.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The bat was a favorite he had used while at Milton, and he was considering having it sand-papered and oiled.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The bat was a favorite he had used while at Milton, and he was considering having it sand-papered and oiled.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Though I don't know as I can bat any better with it."
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Or, rather, he was considering doing the work himself, for he would not trust his choicest stick to the hands of another.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Or, rather, he was considering doing the work himself, for he would not trust his choicest stick to the hands of another.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes, she'll look a little better for a bit of attention, I think," said Andy, half aloud.
