used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Women, of course, have always played.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
athleticsnounUS /æθˈletɪks/
an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
battledorenoun
a light long-handled racket used by badminton players
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
corknounUS /kɔːrk/
outer bark of the cork oak; used for stoppers for bottles etc.
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Women, of course, have always played.
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
diminutiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnjətɪv/
very small
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
disporting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
du
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
elegantlyadverbUS /ˈelɪɡəntliː/
with elegance; in a tastefully elegant manner
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
ENGLISHWOMANnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃwʊmən/
a woman who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
Englishwomen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
exertionnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃən/
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading Pastimes, too, which involved no physical exertion have always been favourites with women.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
favourites
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pastimes, too, which involved no physical exertion have always been favourites with women.
feathersnounUS /ˈfeðərz/
plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
flounced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
in a gradual manner
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Women, of course, have always played.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
innocentlyadverbUS /ˈɪnəsəntli/
in a not unlawful manner
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading Pastimes, too, which involved no physical exertion have always been favourites with women.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
knickerbockersnounUS /ˈnɪkərbɑːkərz/
(used in the plural) trousers ending above the knee
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
lobbedverbUS /lɑːbd/
inflected form of “lob” — propel in a high arc
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
maidensnounUS /ˈmeɪdənz/
plural of “maiden” — an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
Maurier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
Nausicaa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
netsnounUS /nets/
plural of “net” — a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
not any; not one
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
PastimesnounUS /ˈpæstaɪmz/
plural of “pastime” — a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)
From this reading Pastimes, too, which involved no physical exertion have always been favourites with women.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading Pastimes, too, which involved no physical exertion have always been favourites with women.
participate in games or sport
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading Women, of course, have always played.
racquetsnounUS /ˈrækɪts/
plural of “racquet” — a sports implement (usually consisting of a handle and an oval frame with a tightly interlaced network of strings) used to strike a ball (or shuttlecock) in various games
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
unusual or striking
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
shipwrecked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
shuttlecocknoun
badminton equipment consisting of a ball of cork or rubber with a crown of feathers
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
side-whiskersnoun
facial hair that has grown down the side of a man's face in front of the ears (especially when the rest of the beard is shaved off)
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
swainnounUS /sweɪn/
a man who is the lover of a man or woman
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
tautadjectiveUS /tɔːt/
pulled or drawn tight
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
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 We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Pastimes, too, which involved no physical exertion have always been favourites with women.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
UlyssesnounUS /juːˈlɪsiz/
(Roman mythology) Roman spelling for Odysseus
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
wieldingverbUS /ˈwiːldɪŋ/
-ing form of “wield” — have and exercise
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading THE ENGLISHWOMAN AT PLAY No recent development has been more remarkable than that of athletics among women, particularly among Englishwomen.
showing curiosity
From this reading Nausicaa and her maidens innocently tossed a ball to and fro before the wondering eyes of shipwrecked Ulysses: the battledore and shuttlecock are nearly as old as cork and feathers.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading We are apt to forget how short a time it is since George du Maurier drew his beautiful young ladies elegantly disporting themselves in flounced skirts on the tennis lawn, wielding racquets with diminutive heads and as taut as landing nets with which they gently lobbed back the ball to a swain in side-whiskers and knickerbockers.
