used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Both Tad and Rodney had entered, Rodney at Tad’s earnest solicitation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Both Tad and Rodney had entered, Rodney at Tad’s earnest solicitation.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading “You see,” Tad had explained, “I want to feel that there’s some one in the tournament I can beat!”
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading FINGER ROCK The fall tennis tournament began the day following.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both Tad and Rodney had entered, Rodney at Tad’s earnest solicitation.
bravadonounUS /brəˈvɑːdoʊ/
a swaggering show of courage
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “You see,” Tad had explained, “I want to feel that there’s some one in the tournament I can beat!”
contestsnounUS /ˈkɑːntests/
plural of “contest” — an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading FINGER ROCK The fall tennis tournament began the day following.
dexteritynounUS /dekˈsterəti/
adroitness in using the hands
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading Both Tad and Rodney had entered, Rodney at Tad’s earnest solicitation.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Both Tad and Rodney had entered, Rodney at Tad’s earnest solicitation.
entrantsnounUS /ˈentrənts/
plural of “entrant” — a commodity that enters competition with established merchandise
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading “You see,” Tad had explained, “I want to feel that there’s some one in the tournament I can beat!”
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading FINGER ROCK The fall tennis tournament began the day following.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading “You see,” Tad had explained, “I want to feel that there’s some one in the tournament I can beat!”
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading FINGER ROCK The fall tennis tournament began the day following.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading FINGER ROCK The fall tennis tournament began the day following.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Both Tad and Rodney had entered, Rodney at Tad’s earnest solicitation.
handicapnounUS /ˈhændikæp/
the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
ten 10s
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “You see,” Tad had explained, “I want to feel that there’s some one in the tournament I can beat!”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “You see,” Tad had explained, “I want to feel that there’s some one in the tournament I can beat!”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
matchesnounUS /ˈmætʃəz/
plural of “match” — lighter consisting of a thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with combustible chemical; ignites with friction
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “You see,” Tad had explained, “I want to feel that there’s some one in the tournament I can beat!”
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading FINGER ROCK The fall tennis tournament began the day following.
Rodney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both Tad and Rodney had entered, Rodney at Tad’s earnest solicitation.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “You see,” Tad had explained, “I want to feel that there’s some one in the tournament I can beat!”
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
solicitationnounUS /səˌlɪsɪˈteɪʃən/
an entreaty addressed to someone of superior status
From this reading Both Tad and Rodney had entered, Rodney at Tad’s earnest solicitation.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “You see,” Tad had explained, “I want to feel that there’s some one in the tournament I can beat!”
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
superioritynounUS /ˌsuːpɪriˈɔːrɪti/
the quality of being superior
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
TadnounUS /tæd/
a slight amount or degree of difference
From this reading Both Tad and Rodney had entered, Rodney at Tad’s earnest solicitation.
Tad's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both Tad and Rodney had entered, Rodney at Tad’s earnest solicitation.
tennisnounUS /ˈtenəs/
a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court
From this reading FINGER ROCK The fall tennis tournament began the day following.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “You see,” Tad had explained, “I want to feel that there’s some one in the tournament I can beat!”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FINGER ROCK The fall tennis tournament began the day following.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
there's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You see,” Tad had explained, “I want to feel that there’s some one in the tournament I can beat!”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “You see,” Tad had explained, “I want to feel that there’s some one in the tournament I can beat!”
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
tournamentnounUS /ˈtʊrnəmənt/
a sporting competition in which contestants play a series of games to decide the winner
From this reading FINGER ROCK The fall tennis tournament began the day following.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
precisely as stated
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
wagedverbUS /weɪdʒd/
past form of “wage” — carry on (wars, battles, or campaigns)
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading “You see,” Tad had explained, “I want to feel that there’s some one in the tournament I can beat!”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were nearly a hundred entrants, and, since it was a handicap affair, some very good matches were played the first part of the week.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This was sheer bravado, however, since in the two or three contests which the two had waged together Rodney had easily shown his superiority, in spite of the fact that he seemed to have lost some of his former dexterity.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You see,” Tad had explained, “I want to feel that there’s some one in the tournament I can beat!”
