used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
(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 They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
blundersnounUS /ˈblʌndərz/
plural of “blunder” — an embarrassing mistake
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading They wound up the season with a glorious catch, and then oiled their rods and put them into their cases with many sighs of regret.
castingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading They wound up the season with a glorious catch, and then oiled their rods and put them into their cases with many sighs of regret.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading CONCLUSION.
CurtisnounUS /ˈkɜːrtəs/
English botanical writer and publisher (1746-1799)
From this reading “Never mind,” said Curtis, soothingly.
discouragedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɜːrədʒd/
made less hopeful or enthusiastic
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
enthusiasticadjectiveUS /ɪnˌθuːziˈæstɪk/
having or showing great excitement and interest
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
expertadjectiveUS /ˈekspərt/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
failuresnounUS /ˈfeɪljərz/
plural of “failure” — an act that fails
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
fishermennounUS /ˈfɪʃərmɪn/
plural of “fisherman” — someone whose occupation is catching fish
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
having or deserving or conferring glory
From this reading They wound up the season with a glorious catch, and then oiled their rods and put them into their cases with many sighs of regret.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
insightnounUS /ˈɪnsaɪt/
clear or deep perception of a situation
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
instructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading They wound up the season with a glorious catch, and then oiled their rods and put them into their cases with many sighs of regret.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading “Never mind,” said Curtis, soothingly.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading “Never mind,” said Curtis, soothingly.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
oiledadjectiveUS /ɔɪld/
treated with oil
From this reading They wound up the season with a glorious catch, and then oiled their rods and put them into their cases with many sighs of regret.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
patientlyadverbUS /ˈpeɪʃəntli/
with patience; in a patient manner
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
pondnounUS /pɑːnd/
a small lake
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading They wound up the season with a glorious catch, and then oiled their rods and put them into their cases with many sighs of regret.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading They wound up the season with a glorious catch, and then oiled their rods and put them into their cases with many sighs of regret.
rodsnounUS /rɑːdz/
plural of “rod” — a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading They wound up the season with a glorious catch, and then oiled their rods and put them into their cases with many sighs of regret.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Never mind,” said Curtis, soothingly.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading They wound up the season with a glorious catch, and then oiled their rods and put them into their cases with many sighs of regret.
sighsnounUS /saɪz/
plural of “sigh” — an utterance made by exhaling audibly
From this reading They wound up the season with a glorious catch, and then oiled their rods and put them into their cases with many sighs of regret.
soothinglyadverbUS /ˈsuːðɪŋli/
in a soothing manner
From this reading “Never mind,” said Curtis, soothingly.
tacklenounUS /ˈtækəl/
the person who plays that position on a football team
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Having gained a little insight into the art of casting the fly, Don and his friends became eager and enthusiastic fishermen.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They wound up the season with a glorious catch, and then oiled their rods and put them into their cases with many sighs of regret.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They wound up the season with a glorious catch, and then oiled their rods and put them into their cases with many sighs of regret.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
willinglyadverbUS /ˈwɪlɪŋli/
in a willing manner
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They were on the pond almost all the time, and as they tried hard to follow the instructions that were willingly and patiently given them, and would not allow themselves to become discouraged by their numerous blunders and failures, they finally became quite expert with their light tackle.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading They wound up the season with a glorious catch, and then oiled their rods and put them into their cases with many sighs of regret.
