used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
in actual fact
From this reading The upper middlers’ part in the proceedings was theoretically to see that the first-year fellows had fair play, but what they actually did was to have a good-natured mix-up with the lower middlers.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
in addition
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading BATTLE!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Perhaps it would be more correct to say that the lower middlers were interested in the meeting and the upper middlers were interested in the lower middlers.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
make right or correct
From this reading Perhaps it would be more correct to say that the lower middlers were interested in the meeting and the upper middlers were interested in the lower middlers.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
electverbUS /ɪˈlekt/
select by a vote for an office or membership
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading The upper middlers’ part in the proceedings was theoretically to see that the first-year fellows had fair play, but what they actually did was to have a good-natured mix-up with the lower middlers.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
first-yearadjective
used of a person in the first year of an experience (especially in United States high school or college)
From this reading The upper middlers’ part in the proceedings was theoretically to see that the first-year fellows had fair play, but what they actually did was to have a good-natured mix-up with the lower middlers.
flatteringadjectiveUS /ˈflætərɪŋ/
showing or representing to advantage
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
good-naturedadjective
having an easygoing and cheerful disposition
From this reading The upper middlers’ part in the proceedings was theoretically to see that the first-year fellows had fair play, but what they actually did was to have a good-natured mix-up with the lower middlers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The upper middlers’ part in the proceedings was theoretically to see that the first-year fellows had fair play, but what they actually did was to have a good-natured mix-up with the lower middlers.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The upper middlers’ part in the proceedings was theoretically to see that the first-year fellows had fair play, but what they actually did was to have a good-natured mix-up with the lower middlers.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
incumbentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkʌmbənt/
lying or leaning on something else
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading Perhaps it would be more correct to say that the lower middlers were interested in the meeting and the upper middlers were interested in the lower middlers.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
juniorsnounUS /ˈdʒuːnjərz/
plural of “junior” — term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
and nothing more
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
middlers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps it would be more correct to say that the lower middlers were interested in the meeting and the upper middlers were interested in the lower middlers.
mix-upnounUS /ˈmɪksʌp/
a mistake that results from taking one thing to be another
From this reading The upper middlers’ part in the proceedings was theoretically to see that the first-year fellows had fair play, but what they actually did was to have a good-natured mix-up with the lower middlers.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Perhaps it would be more correct to say that the lower middlers were interested in the meeting and the upper middlers were interested in the lower middlers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
officialsnounUS /əˈfɪʃəlz/
plural of “official” — a worker who holds or is invested with an office
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The upper middlers’ part in the proceedings was theoretically to see that the first-year fellows had fair play, but what they actually did was to have a good-natured mix-up with the lower middlers.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps it would be more correct to say that the lower middlers were interested in the meeting and the upper middlers were interested in the lower middlers.
participate in games or sport
From this reading The upper middlers’ part in the proceedings was theoretically to see that the first-year fellows had fair play, but what they actually did was to have a good-natured mix-up with the lower middlers.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
proceedingsnounUS /proʊˈsiːdɪŋz/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading The upper middlers’ part in the proceedings was theoretically to see that the first-year fellows had fair play, but what they actually did was to have a good-natured mix-up with the lower middlers.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
express in words
From this reading Perhaps it would be more correct to say that the lower middlers were interested in the meeting and the upper middlers were interested in the lower middlers.
an educational institution
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
second-yearadjective
used of the second year in United States high school or college
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The upper middlers’ part in the proceedings was theoretically to see that the first-year fellows had fair play, but what they actually did was to have a good-natured mix-up with the lower middlers.
for a short time
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
successfullyadverbUS /səkˈsesfəli/
with success; in a successful manner
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
carry out
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Perhaps it would be more correct to say that the lower middlers were interested in the meeting and the upper middlers were interested in the lower middlers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
theoreticallyadverbUS /ˌθiːərˈetɪkəli/
in theory; according to the assumed facts
From this reading The upper middlers’ part in the proceedings was theoretically to see that the first-year fellows had fair play, but what they actually did was to have a good-natured mix-up with the lower middlers.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
the topmost one of two
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Perhaps it would be more correct to say that the lower middlers were interested in the meeting and the upper middlers were interested in the lower middlers.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The upper middlers’ part in the proceedings was theoretically to see that the first-year fellows had fair play, but what they actually did was to have a good-natured mix-up with the lower middlers.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Just why the second-year boys held it incumbent to do all in their power to prevent the juniors from getting together successfully it is difficult to say; but they did.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The upper middlers’ part in the proceedings was theoretically to see that the first-year fellows had fair play, but what they actually did was to have a good-natured mix-up with the lower middlers.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Perhaps it would be more correct to say that the lower middlers were interested in the meeting and the upper middlers were interested in the lower middlers.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading It was the custom for the juniors to hold a meeting shortly after the beginning of the school year and elect class officials, and it was also the custom of the lower middle and upper middle fellows to take quite a flattering interest in the affair.
