used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
adoptedadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪd/
acquired as your own by free choice
From this reading The suggestion was adopted, and Edwards's Swimming Class soon became a recognised institution.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The suggestion was adopted, and Edwards's Swimming Class soon became a recognised institution.
for the reason that
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
celebritynounUS /səˈlebrɪti/
a widely known person
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading The suggestion was adopted, and Edwards's Swimming Class soon became a recognised institution.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
command with authority
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
Edwards'snounUS /ˈedwərdzɪz/
possessive form of “edwards” — American theologian whose sermons and writings stimulated a period of renewed interest in religion in America (1703-1758)
From this reading The suggestion was adopted, and Edwards's Swimming Class soon became a recognised institution.
enthusiasticadjectiveUS /ɪnˌθuːziˈæstɪk/
having or showing great excitement and interest
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
set up or found
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
good-naturedlyadverbUS /ˈɡʊdˈneɪtʃərdli/
in a good-natured manner
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
half-dozenadjectiveUS /ˈhæfdʌzən/
denoting a quantity consisting of six items or units
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
institutionnounUS /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃən/
an organization founded and united for a specific purpose
From this reading The suggestion was adopted, and Edwards's Swimming Class soon became a recognised institution.
instructingverbUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌktɪŋ/
-ing form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
instructionnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃən/
a message describing how something is to be done
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
a unit of instruction
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
not divisible by two
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
and nothing more
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
prowessnounUS /ˈpraʊəs/
a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
pupilsnounUS /ˈpjuːpəlz/
plural of “pupil” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading The suggestion was adopted, and Edwards's Swimming Class soon became a recognised institution.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
Roy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
Roy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
an educational institution
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
in the near future
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
Steve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
the act of swimming
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
TACKLINGverbUS /ˈtæklɪŋ/
-ing form of “tackle” — accept as a challenge
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
tanknounUS /tæŋk/
an enclosed armored military vehicle; has a cannon and moves on caterpillar treads
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But there was only an odd hour or two during the day for swimming and he soon found that, although he got a good deal of fun out of instructing the others, it was taking too much of his time.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A LESSON IN TACKLING One direct result of that affair in the tank was that Steve found himself something of a school celebrity because of his swimming prowess.
which person or people
From this reading It was Roy's suggestion--Roy being one of the most enthusiastic pupils--that those who wanted instruction should be on hand at a given hour each day.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Within a few days he had good-naturedly agreed to give instruction to some half-dozen acquaintances and might have taken on a half-dozen more had he had the time for it.
