used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading The fighting blood of both teams was up now, and they scrapped like wildcats for the slightest advantage.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The fighting blood of both teams was up now, and they scrapped like wildcats for the slightest advantage.
react verbally
From this reading "Don't worry, Mel, we've just begun to fight," was Fred's reassuring answer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Don't worry, Mel, we've just begun to fight," was Fred's reassuring answer.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading The fighting blood of both teams was up now, and they scrapped like wildcats for the slightest advantage.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The fighting blood of both teams was up now, and they scrapped like wildcats for the slightest advantage.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Once, on the Lake Forest thirty-yard line, the home boys tried out a trick play that Professor Raymond had taught them.
of short duration or distance
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't worry, Mel, we've just begun to fight," was Fred's reassuring answer.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading "Don't worry, Mel, we've just begun to fight," was Fred's reassuring answer.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading The fighting blood of both teams was up now, and they scrapped like wildcats for the slightest advantage.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Once, on the Lake Forest thirty-yard line, the home boys tried out a trick play that Professor Raymond had taught them.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
Fred's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't worry, Mel, we've just begun to fight," was Fred's reassuring answer.
frownverbUS /fraʊn/
look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
grimlyadverbUS /ˈɡrɪmli/
in a grim implacable manner
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Once, on the Lake Forest thirty-yard line, the home boys tried out a trick play that Professor Raymond had taught them.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
and nothing more
From this reading "Don't worry, Mel, we've just begun to fight," was Fred's reassuring answer.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading Once, on the Lake Forest thirty-yard line, the home boys tried out a trick play that Professor Raymond had taught them.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The fighting blood of both teams was up now, and they scrapped like wildcats for the slightest advantage.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Once, on the Lake Forest thirty-yard line, the home boys tried out a trick play that Professor Raymond had taught them.
linedadjectiveUS /laɪnd/
bordered by a line of things
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
Mel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't worry, Mel, we've just begun to fight," was Fred's reassuring answer.
Melvin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The fighting blood of both teams was up now, and they scrapped like wildcats for the slightest advantage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The fighting blood of both teams was up now, and they scrapped like wildcats for the slightest advantage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
on one occasion
From this reading Once, on the Lake Forest thirty-yard line, the home boys tried out a trick play that Professor Raymond had taught them.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
an amount of time
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Once, on the Lake Forest thirty-yard line, the home boys tried out a trick play that Professor Raymond had taught them.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading Once, on the Lake Forest thirty-yard line, the home boys tried out a trick play that Professor Raymond had taught them.
one of four equal parts
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
Raymond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once, on the Lake Forest thirty-yard line, the home boys tried out a trick play that Professor Raymond had taught them.
reassuringadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrɪŋ/
restoring confidence and relieving anxiety
From this reading "Don't worry, Mel, we've just begun to fight," was Fred's reassuring answer.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
scrappedverbUS /skræpt/
inflected form of “scrap” — dispose of (something useless or old)
From this reading The fighting blood of both teams was up now, and they scrapped like wildcats for the slightest advantage.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading The fighting blood of both teams was up now, and they scrapped like wildcats for the slightest advantage.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
supportersnounUS /səˈpɔːrtərz/
plural of “supporter” — a person who backs a politician or a team etc.
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading Once, on the Lake Forest thirty-yard line, the home boys tried out a trick play that Professor Raymond had taught them.
teamnounUS /tiːm/
a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
teamsnounUS /tiːmz/
plural of “team” — a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Once, on the Lake Forest thirty-yard line, the home boys tried out a trick play that Professor Raymond had taught them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Once, on the Lake Forest thirty-yard line, the home boys tried out a trick play that Professor Raymond had taught them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The fighting blood of both teams was up now, and they scrapped like wildcats for the slightest advantage.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
thirty-yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once, on the Lake Forest thirty-yard line, the home boys tried out a trick play that Professor Raymond had taught them.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Don't worry, Mel, we've just begun to fight," was Fred's reassuring answer.
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading Once, on the Lake Forest thirty-yard line, the home boys tried out a trick play that Professor Raymond had taught them.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Once, on the Lake Forest thirty-yard line, the home boys tried out a trick play that Professor Raymond had taught them.
two times
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Don't worry, Mel, we've just begun to fight," was Fred's reassuring answer.
We've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Twice during the period, Fortune seemed about to smile on the home team, but each time the smile faded into a frown, and the hearts of their supporters went down into their boots.
wildcatsnounUS /ˈwaɪldkæts/
plural of “wildcat” — an exploratory oil well drilled in land not known to be an oil field
From this reading The fighting blood of both teams was up now, and they scrapped like wildcats for the slightest advantage.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading A DESPERATE STRUGGLE "We've got our work cut out for us," said Melvin grimly, as, after their brief rest, the teams lined up for the third quarter.
be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy
From this reading "Don't worry, Mel, we've just begun to fight," was Fred's reassuring answer.
