used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
absorbingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
acquireverbUS /əˈkwaɪər/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
admiredadjectiveUS /ədˈmaɪərd/
regarded with admiration
From this reading She liked him to correct her mistakes, to show her this stroke and that; she admired his good nature and his inexhaustible spirits.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading To be doing something with her husband sufficiently amused Bertha.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To be doing something with her husband sufficiently amused Bertha.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
beginnernounUS /bɪˈɡɪnər/
someone new to a field or activity
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
Bertha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
make right or correct
From this reading She liked him to correct her mistakes, to show her this stroke and that; she admired his good nature and his inexhaustible spirits.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading To be doing something with her husband sufficiently amused Bertha.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
eveningsnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋz/
plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
eventuallyadverbUS /ɪˈventʃəwəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
exhaustionnounUS /ɪɡˈzɔːstʃən/
extreme fatigue
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
flannelsnounUS /ˈflænəlz/
plural of “flannel” — a soft light woolen fabric; used for clothing
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
set up or found
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
gossipingnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəpɪŋ/
a conversation that spreads personal information about other people
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
highest in quality
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading To be doing something with her husband sufficiently amused Bertha.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading To be doing something with her husband sufficiently amused Bertha.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
inexhaustibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnɪɡˈzɔːstəbəl/
that cannot be entirely consumed or used up
From this reading She liked him to correct her mistakes, to show her this stroke and that; she admired his good nature and his inexhaustible spirits.
innumerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnuːmərəbəl/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
lawn-tennis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading She liked him to correct her mistakes, to show her this stroke and that; she admired his good nature and his inexhaustible spirits.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
mistakesnounUS /mɪˈsteɪks/
plural of “mistake” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading She liked him to correct her mistakes, to show her this stroke and that; she admired his good nature and his inexhaustible spirits.
as might be expected
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading She liked him to correct her mistakes, to show her this stroke and that; she admired his good nature and his inexhaustible spirits.
nothingsnounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋz/
inconsequential conversation
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But her greatest delight was to lie on the long chair by the lawn when they had finished, and enjoy the feeling of exhaustion, gossiping of the little nothings which love made absorbingly interesting.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
participate in games or sport
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
pridedverbUS /ˈpraɪdɪd/
past form of “pride” — be proud of
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
setsnounUS /sets/
plural of “set” — a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She liked him to correct her mistakes, to show her this stroke and that; she admired his good nature and his inexhaustible spirits.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She liked him to correct her mistakes, to show her this stroke and that; she admired his good nature and his inexhaustible spirits.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading To be doing something with her husband sufficiently amused Bertha.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading She liked him to correct her mistakes, to show her this stroke and that; she admired his good nature and his inexhaustible spirits.
(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading She liked him to correct her mistakes, to show her this stroke and that; she admired his good nature and his inexhaustible spirits.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading To be doing something with her husband sufficiently amused Bertha.
suitedadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtɪd/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
precisely as stated
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
(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 With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
at the time that
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading With the summer Edward began to teach Bertha lawn-tennis; and in the long evenings, when he had finished his work and changed into the flannels which suited him so well, they played innumerable sets.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He prided himself upon his skill in this pursuit and naturally found it dull to play with a beginner; but he was very patient, hoping that eventually Bertha would acquire sufficient skill to give him a good game.
