used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Spud_, having experienced the usual ragging affairs, was now a full-fledged confidant of the older hands.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading These ragging affairs were great or small according to the mental and physical fitness of the unfortunates.
matters of personal concern
From this reading _Spud_, having experienced the usual ragging affairs, was now a full-fledged confidant of the older hands.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A weakling or "saftie" had "to go through the mill" in an unorthodox way.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
confidantnounUS /ˈkɑːnfədɑːnt/
someone to whom private matters are confided
From this reading _Spud_, having experienced the usual ragging affairs, was now a full-fledged confidant of the older hands.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A powerful recruit was let down easily, for obvious reasons.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading A powerful recruit was let down easily, for obvious reasons.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading _Spud_, having experienced the usual ragging affairs, was now a full-fledged confidant of the older hands.
fitnessnounUS /ˈfɪtnəs/
the quality of being suitable
From this reading These ragging affairs were great or small according to the mental and physical fitness of the unfortunates.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A powerful recruit was let down easily, for obvious reasons.
full-fledgedadjective
(of a bird) having reached full development with fully grown adult plumage; ready to fly
From this reading _Spud_, having experienced the usual ragging affairs, was now a full-fledged confidant of the older hands.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A weakling or "saftie" had "to go through the mill" in an unorthodox way.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading These ragging affairs were great or small according to the mental and physical fitness of the unfortunates.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A weakling or "saftie" had "to go through the mill" in an unorthodox way.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading _Spud_, having experienced the usual ragging affairs, was now a full-fledged confidant of the older hands.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading _Spud_, having experienced the usual ragging affairs, was now a full-fledged confidant of the older hands.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A weakling or "saftie" had "to go through the mill" in an unorthodox way.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading A powerful recruit was let down easily, for obvious reasons.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading These ragging affairs were great or small according to the mental and physical fitness of the unfortunates.
millverbUS /mɪl/
move about in a confused manner
From this reading A weakling or "saftie" had "to go through the mill" in an unorthodox way.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
mischievousadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstʃəvəs/
naughtily or annoyingly playful
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading _Spud_, having experienced the usual ragging affairs, was now a full-fledged confidant of the older hands.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading A powerful recruit was let down easily, for obvious reasons.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Spud_, having experienced the usual ragging affairs, was now a full-fledged confidant of the older hands.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading _Spud_, having experienced the usual ragging affairs, was now a full-fledged confidant of the older hands.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading These ragging affairs were great or small according to the mental and physical fitness of the unfortunates.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading These ragging affairs were great or small according to the mental and physical fitness of the unfortunates.
participate in games or sport
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading A powerful recruit was let down easily, for obvious reasons.
ragging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Spud_, having experienced the usual ragging affairs, was now a full-fledged confidant of the older hands.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading A powerful recruit was let down easily, for obvious reasons.
recruitverbUS /rəˈkruːt/
register formally as a participant or member
From this reading A powerful recruit was let down easily, for obvious reasons.
saftie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A weakling or "saftie" had "to go through the mill" in an unorthodox way.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading These ragging affairs were great or small according to the mental and physical fitness of the unfortunates.
SpudnounUS /spʌd/
an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading _Spud_, having experienced the usual ragging affairs, was now a full-fledged confidant of the older hands.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Spud_, having experienced the usual ragging affairs, was now a full-fledged confidant of the older hands.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These ragging affairs were great or small according to the mental and physical fitness of the unfortunates.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A weakling or "saftie" had "to go through the mill" in an unorthodox way.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
tricksnounUS /trɪks/
plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
unfortunatesnounUS /ənˈfɔːrtʃənəts/
plural of “unfortunate” — a person who suffers misfortune
From this reading These ragging affairs were great or small according to the mental and physical fitness of the unfortunates.
unorthodoxadjectiveUS /əˈnɔːrθədɑːks/
independent in behavior or thought
From this reading A weakling or "saftie" had "to go through the mill" in an unorthodox way.
unsuspectingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəˈspektɪŋ/
not suspicious
From this reading And being of a mischievous turn of mind, he seized every opportunity to play tricks on his unsuspecting comrades.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading _Spud_, having experienced the usual ragging affairs, was now a full-fledged confidant of the older hands.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Spud_, having experienced the usual ragging affairs, was now a full-fledged confidant of the older hands.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading A weakling or "saftie" had "to go through the mill" in an unorthodox way.
weaklingnounUS /ˈwiːklɪŋ/
a person who is physically weak and ineffectual
From this reading A weakling or "saftie" had "to go through the mill" in an unorthodox way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These ragging affairs were great or small according to the mental and physical fitness of the unfortunates.
