Chapter XI · Ned Speaks Out

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

the quality of being near to the true value

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

-ing form of “buck” — to strive with determination

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

plural of “candidate” — a politician who is running for public office

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.

teach and supervise (someone); act as a trainer or coach (to), as in sports

From this reading Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

worthy of reliance or trust

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

being one more than ten

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

plural of “flash” — a sudden intense burst of radiant energy

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

any of various games played with a ball (round or oval) in which two teams try to kick or carry or propel the ball into each other's goal

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

many times at short intervals

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

having restricted mental or physical functioning as a consequence of injury or illness

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.

vertical space available to allow easy passage under something

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

lack of ability (especially mental ability) to do something

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.

unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

a player who kicks the football

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

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 Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

the act of departing

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

plural of “limitation” — a principle that limits the extent of something

From this reading Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.

engage in

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

possessive form of “mason” — American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

above and across; more than

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

plural of “player” — a person who participates in or is skilled at some game

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

a customary way of operation or behavior

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

filled with bewilderment

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

with speed

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

unusual or striking

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

plural of “reversal” — a change from one state to the opposite state

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

clean with hard rubbing

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

in a serious manner

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

a smallest army unit

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

past form of “survive” — continue to live and avoid dying

From this reading Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.

carry out

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

natural abilities or qualities

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

plural of “team” — a cooperative unit (especially in sports)

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

not permanent; not lasting

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Perhaps they were sometimes puzzled over flashes of ineptitude, or perhaps they put them down to temporary reversals of form; at least, Ned’s talent was never seriously questioned by them.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading He was too light to make much headway in bucking plays, and his inability to start quickly handicapped him frequently in running; but as a kicker he was dependable and had developed a quite remarkable accuracy at forward passing.

the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-seven and one

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

two times

From this reading He had settled down as a regular half-back on the scrub eleven, although twice he had been called on in practice scrimmages to take Mason’s place at left half on the first squad.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There was a cut in the football squad that afternoon and more than a dozen candidates were retired, leaving twenty-eight players for the first and scrub teams.

during the time that

From this reading Ned survived, as, indeed, he expected to; for, while he knew his limitations, neither the coach nor the captain appeared to.