used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
how long something has existed
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
(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 All, however, were known to be first-rate hands at any kind of sporting, or of poaching, or of any roving pleasure.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading All, however, were known to be first-rate hands at any kind of sporting, or of poaching, or of any roving pleasure.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading CHILDREN WILL BE CHILDREN.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
a youthful male person
From this reading Watkin, the sixth and youngest boy, was of a different nature.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading CHILDREN WILL BE CHILDREN.
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Watkin, the sixth and youngest boy, was of a different nature.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
first-rateadjectiveUS /ˌfɜːrˈstreɪt/
of the highest quality
From this reading All, however, were known to be first-rate hands at any kind of sporting, or of poaching, or of any roving pleasure.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading All, however, were known to be first-rate hands at any kind of sporting, or of poaching, or of any roving pleasure.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading All, however, were known to be first-rate hands at any kind of sporting, or of poaching, or of any roving pleasure.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading All, however, were known to be first-rate hands at any kind of sporting, or of poaching, or of any roving pleasure.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading All, however, were known to be first-rate hands at any kind of sporting, or of poaching, or of any roving pleasure.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Watkin, the sixth and youngest boy, was of a different nature.
NewtonnounUS /ˈnuːtən/
English mathematician and physicist; remembered for developing the calculus and for his law of gravitation and his three laws of motion (1642-1727)
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading All, however, were known to be first-rate hands at any kind of sporting, or of poaching, or of any roving pleasure.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
by chance
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading All, however, were known to be first-rate hands at any kind of sporting, or of poaching, or of any roving pleasure.
poachingnounUS /ˈpoʊtʃɪŋ/
cooking in simmering liquid
From this reading All, however, were known to be first-rate hands at any kind of sporting, or of poaching, or of any roving pleasure.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
rabbiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
rovingnounUS /ˈroʊvɪŋ/
travelling about without any clear destination
From this reading All, however, were known to be first-rate hands at any kind of sporting, or of poaching, or of any roving pleasure.
sixthadjectiveUS /sɪksθ/
coming next after the fifth and just before the seventh in position
From this reading Watkin, the sixth and youngest boy, was of a different nature.
Sker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
sportingadjectiveUS /ˈspɔːrtɪŋ/
exhibiting or calling for sportsmanship or fair play
From this reading All, however, were known to be first-rate hands at any kind of sporting, or of poaching, or of any roving pleasure.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
two-and-twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
unseemlyadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːmli/
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
precisely as stated
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
warrennounUS /ˈwɔːrən/
United States writer and poet (1905-1989)
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Watkin, the sixth and youngest boy, was of a different nature.
Watkin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Watkin, the sixth and youngest boy, was of a different nature.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The "boys of Sker," as we always called those rough fellows over at Newton, were rabbiting in the warren; according to their usual practice, on a Sunday afternoon.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading CHILDREN WILL BE CHILDREN.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
a late time of life
From this reading A loose unseemly lot of lads, from fifteen up to two-and-twenty years of age, perhaps, and very little to choose between them as to work and character.
youngestadjectiveUS /ˈjʌŋɡəst/
superlative of “young” — (used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Watkin, the sixth and youngest boy, was of a different nature.
