used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There couldn’t have been a better day for the race.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
be in accord; be in agreement
From this reading One thing both Harvard and Yale could agree on.
(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 The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One thing both Harvard and Yale could agree on.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There couldn’t have been a better day for the race.
(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 There couldn’t have been a better day for the race.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
the two together, not just one
From this reading One thing both Harvard and Yale could agree on.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
chasingverbUS /ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “chase” — go after with the intent to catch
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
chopverbUS /tʃɑːp/
cut into pieces
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
the body of faculty and students of a college
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading One thing both Harvard and Yale could agree on.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There couldn’t have been a better day for the race.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading There couldn’t have been a better day for the race.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
excessivelyadverbUS /ɪkˈsesɪvli/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
existsverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪsts/
third-person singular of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
fleecyadjectiveUS /ˈfliːsi/
(of fabrics) having soft nap produced by brushing
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There couldn’t have been a better day for the race.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
HarvardnounUS /ˈhɑːrvərd/
a university in Massachusetts
From this reading One thing both Harvard and Yale could agree on.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There couldn’t have been a better day for the race.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
mirrorlikeadjective
capable of reflecting light like a mirror
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
northwestnounUS /ˌnɔːrˈθwest/
the northwestern region of the United States
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
oarsmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One thing both Harvard and Yale could agree on.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One thing both Harvard and Yale could agree on.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
PLOTTERSnounUS /ˈplɑːtərz/
plural of “plotter” — a planner who draws up a personal scheme of action
From this reading THE PLOTTERS REFUSE TO QUIT.
Poughkeepsie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
quarteringnoun
a coat of arms that occupies one quarter of an escutcheon; combining four coats of arms on one shield usually represented intermarriages
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
QUITverbUS /kwɪt/
put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading THE PLOTTERS REFUSE TO QUIT.
any competition
From this reading There couldn’t have been a better day for the race.
reachesnounUS /ˈriːtʃəz/
plural of “reach” — the limits within which something can be effective
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
show unwillingness towards
From this reading THE PLOTTERS REFUSE TO QUIT.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
rowedverbUS /roʊd/
past form of “row” — propel with oars
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
smoothnessnounUS /ˈsmuːðnəs/
a texture without roughness; smooth to the touch
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
ThamesnounUS /temz/
the longest river in England; flows eastward through London to the North Sea
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PLOTTERS REFUSE TO QUIT.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There couldn’t have been a better day for the race.
a special situation
From this reading One thing both Harvard and Yale could agree on.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE PLOTTERS REFUSE TO QUIT.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
in or at the place that
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The day was warm, but not excessively so, and little fleecy clouds, chasing themselves across the blue sky, showed that the wind was a light one, quartering over the river from the northwest.
YalenounUS /jeɪl/
a university in Connecticut
From this reading One thing both Harvard and Yale could agree on.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The water at the mouth of the Thames never reaches the degree of mirrorlike smoothness that exists nearly always at Poughkeepsie, where the other great college boat race is rowed each year; but the oarsmen get used to the little chop of the water that is never entirely absent, and don’t mind it at all.
