used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
(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 Meantime all the others are sitting out in the garden, gossiping to their hearts' content.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Meantime all the others are sitting out in the garden, gossiping to their hearts' content.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The little thatched hut at the end of the gardens, where the sun is now blazing, has drawn them all into a net, as it were.
ascendantnounUS /əˈsendənt/
position or state of being dominant or in control
From this reading It is an off day, when there is no shooting, and the women are therefore jubilant, and distinctly in the ascendant.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
blazingadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading The little thatched hut at the end of the gardens, where the sun is now blazing, has drawn them all into a net, as it were.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading Meantime all the others are sitting out in the garden, gossiping to their hearts' content.
courtsnounUS /kɔːrts/
plural of “court” — an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It is an off day, when there is no shooting, and the women are therefore jubilant, and distinctly in the ascendant.
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading It is an off day, when there is no shooting, and the women are therefore jubilant, and distinctly in the ascendant.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The little thatched hut at the end of the gardens, where the sun is now blazing, has drawn them all into a net, as it were.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The little thatched hut at the end of the gardens, where the sun is now blazing, has drawn them all into a net, as it were.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Meantime all the others are sitting out in the garden, gossiping to their hearts' content.
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The little thatched hut at the end of the gardens, where the sun is now blazing, has drawn them all into a net, as it were.
gossipingnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəpɪŋ/
a conversation that spreads personal information about other people
From this reading Meantime all the others are sitting out in the garden, gossiping to their hearts' content.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading Meantime all the others are sitting out in the garden, gossiping to their hearts' content.
HESCOTT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
temporary military shelter
From this reading The little thatched hut at the end of the gardens, where the sun is now blazing, has drawn them all into a net, as it were.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Meantime all the others are sitting out in the garden, gossiping to their hearts' content.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The little thatched hut at the end of the gardens, where the sun is now blazing, has drawn them all into a net, as it were.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
jubilantadjectiveUS /ˈdʒuːbələnt/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading It is an off day, when there is no shooting, and the women are therefore jubilant, and distinctly in the ascendant.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading Meantime all the others are sitting out in the garden, gossiping to their hearts' content.
moisturenounUS /ˈmɔɪstʃər/
wetness caused by water
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
netnounUS /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 The little thatched hut at the end of the gardens, where the sun is now blazing, has drawn them all into a net, as it were.
not any; not one
From this reading It is an off day, when there is no shooting, and the women are therefore jubilant, and distinctly in the ascendant.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
OAKDEAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The little thatched hut at the end of the gardens, where the sun is now blazing, has drawn them all into a net, as it were.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It is an off day, when there is no shooting, and the women are therefore jubilant, and distinctly in the ascendant.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meantime all the others are sitting out in the garden, gossiping to their hearts' content.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Meantime all the others are sitting out in the garden, gossiping to their hearts' content.
rainsnounUS /reɪnz/
plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
on the contrary
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
shootingnounUS /ˈʃuːtɪŋ/
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading It is an off day, when there is no shooting, and the women are therefore jubilant, and distinctly in the ascendant.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Meantime all the others are sitting out in the garden, gossiping to their hearts' content.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
SPARRINGnounUS /ˈspɑːrɪŋ/
an argument in which the participants are trying to gain some advantage
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
not in physical motion
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
sufficedverbUS /səˈfaɪst/
past form of “suffice” — be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The little thatched hut at the end of the gardens, where the sun is now blazing, has drawn them all into a net, as it were.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
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 They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
thatchedverbUS /θætʃt/
past form of “thatch” — cover with thatch
From this reading The little thatched hut at the end of the gardens, where the sun is now blazing, has drawn them all into a net, as it were.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Meantime all the others are sitting out in the garden, gossiping to their hearts' content.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The little thatched hut at the end of the gardens, where the sun is now blazing, has drawn them all into a net, as it were.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It is an off day, when there is no shooting, and the women are therefore jubilant, and distinctly in the ascendant.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading It is an off day, when there is no shooting, and the women are therefore jubilant, and distinctly in the ascendant.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Meantime all the others are sitting out in the garden, gossiping to their hearts' content.
male cat
From this reading HOW A LITTLE SPARRING IS DONE AMONGST THE GUESTS AT OAKDEAN; AND HOW TOM HESCOTT TELLS A STORY.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They had tried tennis, but the courts are rather soft now; and though an Indian summer has fallen upon us, still it has not sufficed to dry up all the moisture caused by the late rains.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The little thatched hut at the end of the gardens, where the sun is now blazing, has drawn them all into a net, as it were.
at the time that
From this reading It is an off day, when there is no shooting, and the women are therefore jubilant, and distinctly in the ascendant.
in or at the place that
From this reading The little thatched hut at the end of the gardens, where the sun is now blazing, has drawn them all into a net, as it were.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading It is an off day, when there is no shooting, and the women are therefore jubilant, and distinctly in the ascendant.
