used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading No, I am quite sure you were not.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PRESENT AND FUTURE.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
applausenounUS /əˈplɔːz/
a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
athleticsnounUS /æθˈletɪks/
an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
the body of faculty and students of a college
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
ColumbianounUS /kəˈlʌmbiə/
a North American river; rises in southwestern Canada and flows southward across Washington to form the border between Washington and Oregon before emptying into the Pacific; known for its salmon runs in the spring
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
commencementnounUS /kəˈmensmənt/
the time at which something is supposed to begin
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
diplomasnounUS /dɪˈploʊməz/
plural of “diploma” — a document certifying the successful completion of a course of study
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
yet to be or coming
From this reading PRESENT AND FUTURE.
Gerald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
graduatedadjectiveUS /ˈɡrædʒuːeɪtɪd/
marked with or divided into degrees
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
come to pass
From this reading For Philip and Gerald happen not to have graduated yet, though they will soon.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading For Philip and Gerald happen not to have graduated yet, though they will soon.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading No, I am quite sure you were not.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
not any; not one
From this reading No, I am quite sure you were not.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading No, I am quite sure you were not.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
pocket-handkerchiefs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading PRESENT AND FUTURE.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading No, I am quite sure you were not.
rattleverbUS /ˈrætəl/
make short successive sounds
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
Saxton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
express in words
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
senioradjectiveUS /ˈsiːnjər/
older; higher in rank; longer in length of tenure or service
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
in the near future
From this reading For Philip and Gerald happen not to have graduated yet, though they will soon.
sophomorenounUS /ˈsɑːfmɔːr/
a second-year undergraduate
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading No, I am quite sure you were not.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For Philip and Gerald happen not to have graduated yet, though they will soon.
a special situation
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading For Philip and Gerald happen not to have graduated yet, though they will soon.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For Philip and Gerald happen not to have graduated yet, though they will soon.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
Touchtone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
wavingnounUS /ˈweɪvɪŋ/
the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
wide-awakeadjective
fully awake
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading For Philip and Gerald happen not to have graduated yet, though they will soon.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
but in spite of that
From this reading For Philip and Gerald happen not to have graduated yet, though they will soon.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Friendly reader, were you at a Columbia College commencement, in which Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton graduated, amid a great waving of pocket-handkerchiefs and a rattle of applause as the class took their places on the stage for their diplomas?
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Touchtone is a senior this year, and Gerald a sophomore; tall, wide-awake young fellows, both of them well up in their work and their athletics, devoted to their college life and (though they do not say any thing about that) to each other, as well.
