used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
Alden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading She was alert and quick.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was alert and quick.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
basket-ball
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
brimmingadjectiveUS /ˈbrɪmɪŋ/
filled to capacity
From this reading Hester was brimming with enthusiasm.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
Debby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
dormitoriesnounUS /ˈdɔːrmətɔːriz/
plural of “dormitory” — a college or university building containing living quarters for students
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
a feeling of excitement
From this reading Hester was brimming with enthusiasm.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
gamesnounUS /ɡeɪmz/
plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading Her passing was particularly good and Helen praised her highly.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her passing was particularly good and Helen praised her highly.
Hester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading Her passing was particularly good and Helen praised her highly.
holidaysnounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪz/
plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
midwinternounUS /ˈmɪˈdwɪntər/
the middle of winter
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
ointmentnounUS /ˈɔɪntmənt/
semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Her passing was particularly good and Helen praised her highly.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Her passing was particularly good and Helen praised her highly.
participate in games or sport
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
praisedverbUS /preɪzd/
past form of “praise” — express approval of
From this reading Her passing was particularly good and Helen praised her highly.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading She was alert and quick.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was alert and quick.
substituteverbUS /ˈsʌbstətuːt/
put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
teamsnounUS /tiːmz/
plural of “team” — a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Before the midwinter holidays, the report was the round of the dormitories that Hester Alden was playing a good game of basket-ball.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The one fly in her cup of ointment was that Aunt Debby could not see her play, for the games of the substitute teams were never public.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Hester was brimming with enthusiasm.
