used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE BOAT The idea of forming a club had long been uppermost in Bob Somers' mind.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In the present instance, the idea of the club and its object pleased him, particularly as he knew that Bob's associates were of the right character.
associatesnounUS /əˈsoʊsiəts/
plural of “associate” — a person who joins with others in some activity or endeavor
From this reading In the present instance, the idea of the club and its object pleased him, particularly as he knew that Bob's associates were of the right character.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE BOAT The idea of forming a club had long been uppermost in Bob Somers' mind.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading THE BOAT The idea of forming a club had long been uppermost in Bob Somers' mind.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading THE BOAT The idea of forming a club had long been uppermost in Bob Somers' mind.
Bob'snounUS /bɑːbz/
possessive form of “bob” — a former monetary unit in Great Britain
From this reading In the present instance, the idea of the club and its object pleased him, particularly as he knew that Bob's associates were of the right character.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading In the present instance, the idea of the club and its object pleased him, particularly as he knew that Bob's associates were of the right character.
chumsnounUS /tʃʌmz/
plural of “chum” — a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading THE BOAT The idea of forming a club had long been uppermost in Bob Somers' mind.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He therefore was in full sympathy with his son's plans, and encouraged them whenever he could.
characterized by great determination
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
encouragedadjectiveUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒd/
inspired with confidence
From this reading He therefore was in full sympathy with his son's plans, and encouraged them whenever he could.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
formingverbUS /ˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)
From this reading THE BOAT The idea of forming a club had long been uppermost in Bob Somers' mind.
fortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading He therefore was in full sympathy with his son's plans, and encouraged them whenever he could.
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 Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
girthnounUS /ɡɜːrθ/
the distance around a person's body
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE BOAT The idea of forming a club had long been uppermost in Bob Somers' mind.
hairsnounUS /herz/
plural of “hair” — a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading THE BOAT The idea of forming a club had long been uppermost in Bob Somers' mind.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE BOAT The idea of forming a club had long been uppermost in Bob Somers' mind.
increasingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/
becoming greater or larger
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
an occurrence of something
From this reading In the present instance, the idea of the club and its object pleased him, particularly as he knew that Bob's associates were of the right character.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In the present instance, the idea of the club and its object pleased him, particularly as he knew that Bob's associates were of the right character.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading In the present instance, the idea of the club and its object pleased him, particularly as he knew that Bob's associates were of the right character.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading THE BOAT The idea of forming a club had long been uppermost in Bob Somers' mind.
the force of workers available
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading THE BOAT The idea of forming a club had long been uppermost in Bob Somers' mind.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading In the present instance, the idea of the club and its object pleased him, particularly as he knew that Bob's associates were of the right character.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BOAT The idea of forming a club had long been uppermost in Bob Somers' mind.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading In the present instance, the idea of the club and its object pleased him, particularly as he knew that Bob's associates were of the right character.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading He therefore was in full sympathy with his son's plans, and encouraged them whenever he could.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading In the present instance, the idea of the club and its object pleased him, particularly as he knew that Bob's associates were of the right character.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading In the present instance, the idea of the club and its object pleased him, particularly as he knew that Bob's associates were of the right character.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
established beyond doubt
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
To recall to mind.
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
precisely, exactly
From this reading In the present instance, the idea of the club and its object pleased him, particularly as he knew that Bob's associates were of the right character.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
Somers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BOAT The idea of forming a club had long been uppermost in Bob Somers' mind.
son'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading He therefore was in full sympathy with his son's plans, and encouraged them whenever he could.
express in speech
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
not in physical motion
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading He therefore was in full sympathy with his son's plans, and encouraged them whenever he could.
express in words
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BOAT The idea of forming a club had long been uppermost in Bob Somers' mind.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He therefore was in full sympathy with his son's plans, and encouraged them whenever he could.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading He therefore was in full sympathy with his son's plans, and encouraged them whenever he could.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
uppermostadjectiveUS /ˈʌpərmoʊst/
at or nearest to the top
From this reading THE BOAT The idea of forming a club had long been uppermost in Bob Somers' mind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the present instance, the idea of the club and its object pleased him, particularly as he knew that Bob's associates were of the right character.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading He therefore was in full sympathy with his son's plans, and encouraged them whenever he could.
which person or people
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He therefore was in full sympathy with his son's plans, and encouraged them whenever he could.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading During the preceding year, he and his four chums had spent much of their time together, and the experience proved so agreeable that Bob determined to speak to his father and tell him what he proposed to do.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young.
