used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It was the first practice game, the scrub against the school.
in addition
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Phil gripped the bat and waited.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
batnounUS /bæt/
nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
From this reading Phil gripped the bat and waited.
batchnounUS /bætʃ/
all the loaves of bread baked at the same time
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading PHIL MAKES HIS DÉBUT “ONE strike!” called the umpire.
candidatesnounUS /ˈkændədeɪts/
plural of “candidate” — a politician who is running for public office
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
intentionally conceived
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
carefully weighed
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
decentlyadverbUS /ˈdiːsəntli/
in a decent manner
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
DÉBUT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PHIL MAKES HIS DÉBUT “ONE strike!” called the umpire.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was the first practice game, the scrub against the school.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading It was the first practice game, the scrub against the school.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
grippedverbUS /ɡrɪpt/
inflected form of “grip” — hold fast or firmly
From this reading Phil gripped the bat and waited.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading PHIL MAKES HIS DÉBUT “ONE strike!” called the umpire.
interferingadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪrɪŋ/
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the first practice game, the scrub against the school.
left-field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading PHIL MAKES HIS DÉBUT “ONE strike!” called the umpire.
nervouslyadverbUS /ˈnɜːrvəsli/
in an anxiously nervous manner
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading PHIL MAKES HIS DÉBUT “ONE strike!” called the umpire.
and nothing more
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
by chance
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
PHIL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PHIL MAKES HIS DÉBUT “ONE strike!” called the umpire.
pitchnounUS /pɪtʃ/
the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading It was the first practice game, the scrub against the school.
pretextnounUS /ˈpriːtekst/
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
rubbedverbUS /rʌbd/
inflected form of “rub” — move over something with pressure
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
SandsnounUS /sændz/
the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
an educational institution
From this reading It was the first practice game, the scrub against the school.
scrubverbUS /skrʌb/
clean with hard rubbing
From this reading It was the first practice game, the scrub against the school.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading PHIL MAKES HIS DÉBUT “ONE strike!” called the umpire.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PHIL MAKES HIS DÉBUT “ONE strike!” called the umpire.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
Tompkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
the act of testing something
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
umpirenounUS /ˈʌmpaɪər/
an official at a baseball game
From this reading PHIL MAKES HIS DÉBUT “ONE strike!” called the umpire.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Phil gripped the bat and waited.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the first practice game, the scrub against the school.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Phil had been put at left-field on the scrub; and he was now at bat nervously conscious that it was his first real trial, perhaps his only one, and that Sands was waiting for the pretext to fire him with the first batch of disappointed candidates.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
youngsternounUS /ˈjʌŋstər/
a young person of either sex
From this reading Tompkins was also on trial, and while he rubbed the damp ball into a state to grip decently for the next pitch, he considered whether he could afford to give the youngster an easy one to help him out, without interfering with his own reputation.
