used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
acquireverbUS /əˈkwaɪər/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Working against batters who were dangerous, his artificial delivery had not enabled him to pitch the ball that would hold them in check.
in addition
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
artificialadjectiveUS /ˌɑːrtəˈfɪʃəl/
contrived by art rather than nature
From this reading Working against batters who were dangerous, his artificial delivery had not enabled him to pitch the ball that would hold them in check.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Working against batters who were dangerous, his artificial delivery had not enabled him to pitch the ball that would hold them in check.
battersnounUS /ˈbætərz/
plural of “batter” — (baseball) a ballplayer who is batting
From this reading Working against batters who were dangerous, his artificial delivery had not enabled him to pitch the ball that would hold them in check.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
carvesverbUS /kɑːrvz/
third-person singular of “carve” — form by carving
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading Working against batters who were dangerous, his artificial delivery had not enabled him to pitch the ball that would hold them in check.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Could he pitch like that and go the full distance with no fear of disastrous results?
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading Working against batters who were dangerous, his artificial delivery had not enabled him to pitch the ball that would hold them in check.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
deliverynounUS /dɪˈlɪvəri/
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
disastrousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzæstrəs/
(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin
From this reading Could he pitch like that and go the full distance with no fear of disastrous results?
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Could he pitch like that and go the full distance with no fear of disastrous results?
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading But what would that do to his shoulder?
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He had mowed them down, however, when he had resorted to his natural form.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading Working against batters who were dangerous, his artificial delivery had not enabled him to pitch the ball that would hold them in check.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Could he pitch like that and go the full distance with no fear of disastrous results?
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading He had mowed them down, however, when he had resorted to his natural form.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Could he pitch like that and go the full distance with no fear of disastrous results?
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Could he pitch like that and go the full distance with no fear of disastrous results?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Working against batters who were dangerous, his artificial delivery had not enabled him to pitch the ball that would hold them in check.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He had mowed them down, however, when he had resorted to his natural form.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Working against batters who were dangerous, his artificial delivery had not enabled him to pitch the ball that would hold them in check.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Could he pitch like that and go the full distance with no fear of disastrous results?
LockenounUS /lɑːk/
English empiricist philosopher who believed that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience (1632-1704)
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
mowedverbUS /moʊd/
past form of “mow” — cut with a blade or mower
From this reading He had mowed them down, however, when he had resorted to his natural form.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading He had mowed them down, however, when he had resorted to his natural form.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
not any; not one
From this reading Could he pitch like that and go the full distance with no fear of disastrous results?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Working against batters who were dangerous, his artificial delivery had not enabled him to pitch the ball that would hold them in check.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
pitchnounUS /pɪtʃ/
the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
From this reading Working against batters who were dangerous, his artificial delivery had not enabled him to pitch the ball that would hold them in check.
pitchingnounUS /ˈpɪtʃɪŋ/
(baseball) playing the position of pitcher on a baseball team
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
resortedverbUS /rɪˈzɔːrtɪd/
past form of “resort” — have recourse to
From this reading He had mowed them down, however, when he had resorted to his natural form.
resultsnounUS /rɪˈzʌlts/
plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Could he pitch like that and go the full distance with no fear of disastrous results?
filled with satisfaction
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
move hurridly
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
not in physical motion
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Working against batters who were dangerous, his artificial delivery had not enabled him to pitch the ball that would hold them in check.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
TORTURINGadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːrtʃərɪŋ/
extremely painful
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Working against batters who were dangerous, his artificial delivery had not enabled him to pitch the ball that would hold them in check.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But what would that do to his shoulder?
at the time that
From this reading He had mowed them down, however, when he had resorted to his natural form.
which person or people
From this reading Working against batters who were dangerous, his artificial delivery had not enabled him to pitch the ball that would hold them in check.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Could he pitch like that and go the full distance with no fear of disastrous results?
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Working against batters who were dangerous, his artificial delivery had not enabled him to pitch the ball that would hold them in check.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading TORTURING DOUBT To a degree, Locke had satisfied himself that he still had command of his speed and carves; but the experience had also taught him that his efforts to acquire a new delivery as effective as his former style of pitching, and one that would put less strain upon his shoulder, had been a sheer waste of time.
