used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading There were tubs large and small, some new and some evidently having seen hard service, and the paddles were of various sizes and ages.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were tubs large and small, some new and some evidently having seen hard service, and the paddles were of various sizes and ages.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The report of the pistol rang out sharply, and in a moment the race was begun.
Bob'snounUS /bɑːbz/
possessive form of “bob” — a former monetary unit in Great Britain
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading CONCLUSION.
contestnounUS /ˈkɑːntest/
an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
contestantsnounUS /kənˈtestənts/
plural of “contestant” — a person who participates in competitions
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
recognizable; marked
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading There were tubs large and small, some new and some evidently having seen hard service, and the paddles were of various sizes and ages.
apart from; not including
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading There were tubs large and small, some new and some evidently having seen hard service, and the paddles were of various sizes and ages.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading There were tubs large and small, some new and some evidently having seen hard service, and the paddles were of various sizes and ages.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There were tubs large and small, some new and some evidently having seen hard service, and the paddles were of various sizes and ages.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
a particular point in time
From this reading The report of the pistol rang out sharply, and in a moment the race was begun.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading There were tubs large and small, some new and some evidently having seen hard service, and the paddles were of various sizes and ages.
noveltynounUS /ˈnɑːvəlti/
originality by virtue of being refreshingly novel
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The report of the pistol rang out sharply, and in a moment the race was begun.
paddlesnounUS /ˈpædəlz/
plural of “paddle” — small wooden bat with a flat surface; used for hitting balls in various games
From this reading There were tubs large and small, some new and some evidently having seen hard service, and the paddles were of various sizes and ages.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading The report of the pistol rang out sharply, and in a moment the race was begun.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
any competition
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading The report of the pistol rang out sharply, and in a moment the race was begun.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading The report of the pistol rang out sharply, and in a moment the race was begun.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading There were tubs large and small, some new and some evidently having seen hard service, and the paddles were of various sizes and ages.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading The report of the pistol rang out sharply, and in a moment the race was begun.
sizesnounUS /ˈsaɪzəz/
plural of “size” — the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading There were tubs large and small, some new and some evidently having seen hard service, and the paddles were of various sizes and ages.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There were tubs large and small, some new and some evidently having seen hard service, and the paddles were of various sizes and ages.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There were tubs large and small, some new and some evidently having seen hard service, and the paddles were of various sizes and ages.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading There were at least fifteen of the contestants, and Bob's sturdy form could be easily distinguished, for he was the fourth from the end nearest our friends.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
carry out
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
tubnounUS /tʌb/
a relatively large open container that you fill with water and use to wash the body
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
tubsnounUS /tʌbz/
plural of “tub” — a relatively large open container that you fill with water and use to wash the body
From this reading There were tubs large and small, some new and some evidently having seen hard service, and the paddles were of various sizes and ages.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading There were tubs large and small, some new and some evidently having seen hard service, and the paddles were of various sizes and ages.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
which person or people
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading A tub race was a decided novelty to all the members of our party except the young ladies, who had seen one in the preceding summer, but there were special reasons now why they were as interested as their friends in the contest which was to take place.
