used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
accursedadjectiveUS /ˌæˈkɜːrst/
under a curse
From this reading Even the good Willoughby was on the accursed field over yonder; and he mattered least.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading But Erskine Holland was rolling the rectory court gloomily and quite alone, and he was tired of Essingham.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
for the reason that
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Erskine Holland was rolling the rectory court gloomily and quite alone, and he was tired of Essingham.
Christina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading But Erskine Holland was rolling the rectory court gloomily and quite alone, and he was tired of Essingham.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
Erskine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Erskine Holland was rolling the rectory court gloomily and quite alone, and he was tired of Essingham.
Essingham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Erskine Holland was rolling the rectory court gloomily and quite alone, and he was tired of Essingham.
divisible by two
From this reading Even the good Willoughby was on the accursed field over yonder; and he mattered least.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading Even the good Willoughby was on the accursed field over yonder; and he mattered least.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
gloomilyadverbUS /ˈɡluːməli/
with gloom
From this reading But Erskine Holland was rolling the rectory court gloomily and quite alone, and he was tired of Essingham.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Even the good Willoughby was on the accursed field over yonder; and he mattered least.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But Erskine Holland was rolling the rectory court gloomily and quite alone, and he was tired of Essingham.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading HER HOUR OF TRIUMPH.
HerbertnounUS /ˈhɜːrbərt/
United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
HollandnounUS /ˈhɑːlənd/
a constitutional monarchy in western Europe on the North Sea; half the country lies below sea level
From this reading But Erskine Holland was rolling the rectory court gloomily and quite alone, and he was tired of Essingham.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading HER HOUR OF TRIUMPH.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
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 Even the good Willoughby was on the accursed field over yonder; and he mattered least.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
matteredverbUS /ˈmætərd/
past form of “matter” — have weight; have import, carry weight
From this reading Even the good Willoughby was on the accursed field over yonder; and he mattered least.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HER HOUR OF TRIUMPH.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Even the good Willoughby was on the accursed field over yonder; and he mattered least.
and nothing more
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Even the good Willoughby was on the accursed field over yonder; and he mattered least.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading But Erskine Holland was rolling the rectory court gloomily and quite alone, and he was tired of Essingham.
rectorynounUS /ˈrektəri/
an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector
From this reading But Erskine Holland was rolling the rectory court gloomily and quite alone, and he was tired of Essingham.
uttered with a trill
From this reading But Erskine Holland was rolling the rectory court gloomily and quite alone, and he was tired of Essingham.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
single-wicket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
tennisnounUS /ˈtenəs/
a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
threatsnounUS /θrets/
plural of “threat” — something that is a source of danger
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading But Erskine Holland was rolling the rectory court gloomily and quite alone, and he was tired of Essingham.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading HER HOUR OF TRIUMPH.
hard to endure
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
precisely as stated
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
which person or people
From this reading Now Herbert was taking part in the match, and Ruth was in the ladies' tent, trying not to think of Christina, who was playing a single-wicket game in another place.
Willoughby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the good Willoughby was on the accursed field over yonder; and he mattered least.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Not only had the day kept fine in spite of its threats, but toward the end of the afternoon it turned out very fine indeed, and the light became excellent for lawn tennis, because there was nobody to play with poor Erskine.
distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)
From this reading Even the good Willoughby was on the accursed field over yonder; and he mattered least.
