used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
AcademynounUS /əˈkæd.ə.mi/
A place of study or training in a special field of knowledge and arts.
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
aloftadverbUS /əˈlɔːft/
at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Boys are proverbially unskilled in keeping secrets.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
a youthful male person
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Boys are proverbially unskilled in keeping secrets.
terminate
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
put or send forth
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
cheeringnounUS /ˈtʃɪrɪŋ/
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
cheersnounUS /tʃɪrz/
plural of “cheer” — a cry or shout of approval
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
cleverest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
conscientiousadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnʃiˈenʃəs/
characterized by extreme care and great effort
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/
past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
elatedadjectiveUS /ɪˈleɪtəd/
exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
apart from; not including
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
FLAGSnounUS /flæɡz/
plural of “flag” — emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
be suspended or hanging
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
ignominiouslyadverb
in a dishonorable manner or to a dishonorable degree
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
ill-chosenadjective
not elegant or graceful in expression
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Boys are proverbially unskilled in keeping secrets.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Boys are proverbially unskilled in keeping secrets.
laboriousadjectiveUS /ləˈbɔːriəs/
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
middlers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
modenounUS /moʊd/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
not any; not one
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
objectedverbUS /əbˈdʒektəd/
past form of “object” — express or raise an objection or protest or criticism or express dissent
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
precedentnounUS /ˈpresɪdənt/
an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
proverbiallyadverb
in the manner of something that has become a byword
From this reading Boys are proverbially unskilled in keeping secrets.
provingverbUS /ˈpruːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
recessverbUS /rɪˈses/
put into a recess
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
an educational institution
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
seasonablyadverb
in accordance with the season
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
secretsnounUS /ˈsiːkrəts/
plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
From this reading Boys are proverbially unskilled in keeping secrets.
seniorsnounUS /ˈsiːnjərz/
plural of “senior” — an undergraduate student during the year preceding graduation
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
the season of growth
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
a special situation
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
threadbareadjectiveUS /ˈθredber/
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
From this reading Later a few leading spirits cast about for some more striking mode of proving their importance than the threadbare and laborious fashion of cheers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
UNDERprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
unskilledadjectiveUS /ənˈskɪld/
not having or showing or requiring special skill or proficiency
From this reading Boys are proverbially unskilled in keeping secrets.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
precisely as stated
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
Washington'snounUS /ˈwɑːʃɪŋtənz/
possessive form of “washington” — the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading The class flag which the seniors, following a precedent, had displayed on the Academy tower very early on Washington’s birthday, had been seasonably and ignominiously removed by the conscientious boy who rang the Academy bell.
WednesdaynounUS /ˈwenzdi/
the fourth day of the week; the third working day
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
at the time that
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
which person or people
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
in the company of; together with
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The middlers concluded that the cleverest thing for them would be to hang their own class flag aloft on the day when the school was to break up for the spring recess,—the following Wednesday.
yellsnounUS /jelz/
plural of “yell” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading UNDER TWO FLAGS FOR an hour or two after the meeting was over the elated middlers made a good deal of noise with their yells and their cheering, to which no one objected except those who happened to want to study at this ill-chosen hour.
