used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
anew
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
(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 GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
amusementsnounUS /əˈmjuːzmənts/
plural of “amusement” — a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading In time, however, one discovers that they have many kinds of amusements.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
bouncedverbUS /baʊnst/
past form of “bounce” — spring back; spring away from an impact
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Boys are fond of ‘kicking the shuttlecock.’
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading They are wonderfully clever with their feet, and send the shuttlecock flying from one to another, turning, dodging, leaning this way and that, so as to kick freely.
cottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
discoversverbUS /dɪˈskʌvərz/
third-person singular of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading In time, however, one discovers that they have many kinds of amusements.
dodgingnounUS /ˈdɑːdʒɪŋ/
nonperformance of something distasteful (as by deceit or trickery) that you are supposed to do
From this reading They are wonderfully clever with their feet, and send the shuttlecock flying from one to another, turning, dodging, leaning this way and that, so as to kick freely.
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading They are wonderfully clever with their feet, and send the shuttlecock flying from one to another, turning, dodging, leaning this way and that, so as to kick freely.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
moving swiftly
From this reading They are wonderfully clever with their feet, and send the shuttlecock flying from one to another, turning, dodging, leaning this way and that, so as to kick freely.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading Boys are fond of ‘kicking the shuttlecock.’
in a free manner
From this reading They are wonderfully clever with their feet, and send the shuttlecock flying from one to another, turning, dodging, leaning this way and that, so as to kick freely.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They are wonderfully clever with their feet, and send the shuttlecock flying from one to another, turning, dodging, leaning this way and that, so as to kick freely.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
GAMESnounUS /ɡeɪmz/
plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
the act of giving
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In time, however, one discovers that they have many kinds of amusements.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading In time, however, one discovers that they have many kinds of amusements.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In time, however, one discovers that they have many kinds of amusements.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
kickverbUS /kɪk/
drive or propel with the foot
From this reading They are wonderfully clever with their feet, and send the shuttlecock flying from one to another, turning, dodging, leaning this way and that, so as to kick freely.
kickingnounUS /ˈkɪkɪŋ/
a rhythmic thrusting movement of the legs as in swimming or calisthenics
From this reading Boys are fond of ‘kicking the shuttlecock.’
plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading In time, however, one discovers that they have many kinds of amusements.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading They are wonderfully clever with their feet, and send the shuttlecock flying from one to another, turning, dodging, leaning this way and that, so as to kick freely.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
engage in
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading In time, however, one discovers that they have many kinds of amusements.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
not any; not one
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In time, however, one discovers that they have many kinds of amusements.
many times at short intervals
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In time, however, one discovers that they have many kinds of amusements.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
patverbUS /pæt/
pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
participate in games or sport
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
playernounUS /ˈpleɪər/
a person who participates in or is skilled at some game
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
RIDDLESnounUS /ˈrɪdəlz/
plural of “riddle” — a difficult problem
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading They are wonderfully clever with their feet, and send the shuttlecock flying from one to another, turning, dodging, leaning this way and that, so as to kick freely.
shuttlecocknoun
badminton equipment consisting of a ball of cork or rubber with a crown of feathers
From this reading Boys are fond of ‘kicking the shuttlecock.’
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
temptedverbUS /ˈtemptɪd/
past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In time, however, one discovers that they have many kinds of amusements.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They are wonderfully clever with their feet, and send the shuttlecock flying from one to another, turning, dodging, leaning this way and that, so as to kick freely.
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In time, however, one discovers that they have many kinds of amusements.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
hard to endure
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading They are wonderfully clever with their feet, and send the shuttlecock flying from one to another, turning, dodging, leaning this way and that, so as to kick freely.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading They are wonderfully clever with their feet, and send the shuttlecock flying from one to another, turning, dodging, leaning this way and that, so as to kick freely.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
whirlverbUS /wɜːrl/
turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
wonderfullyadverbUS /ˈwʌndərfəli/
(used as an intensifier) extremely well
From this reading They are wonderfully clever with their feet, and send the shuttlecock flying from one to another, turning, dodging, leaning this way and that, so as to kick freely.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading GAMES AND RIDDLES Chinese children are kept so busy at work or study that a stranger might at first be tempted to think their lives were all work and no play.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading A favourite game is played with a ball of tightly wound cotton thread, which is bounced upon the pavement, the player trying to whirl round as often as possible, before giving another pat to make it jump again.
