used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Anything less like a saint in daily life one could hardly imagine.
abandonverbUS /əˈbændən/
forsake, leave behind
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
anew
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
(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 He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
any thing at all
From this reading Anything less like a saint in daily life one could hardly imagine.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
Blair'snounUS /blerz/
possessive form of “blair” — British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
bondsnounUS /bɑːndz/
plural of “bond” — an electrical force linking atoms
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
boxingnounUS /ˈbɑːksɪŋ/
fighting with the fists
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
braceverbUS /breɪs/
prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
clean-hearted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Anything less like a saint in daily life one could hardly imagine.
cravedadjectiveUS /kreɪvd/
wanted intensely
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
cricketnounUS /ˈkrɪkət/
leaping insect; male makes chirping noises by rubbing the forewings together
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading Anything less like a saint in daily life one could hardly imagine.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
excitements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
fencingnounUS /ˈfensɪŋ/
a barrier that serves to enclose an area
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
footballnounUS /ˈfʊtbɔːl/
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 He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
foresightnounUS /ˈfɔːrsaɪt/
providence by virtue of planning prudently for the future
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
frolicnounUS /ˈfrɑːlɪk/
gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
gapingadjectiveUS /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/
with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
gearedadjectiveUS /ɡɪrd/
equipped with or connected by gears or having gears engaged
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
goatsnounUS /ɡoʊts/
plural of “goat” — any of numerous agile ruminants related to sheep but having a beard and straight horns
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
only a very short time before
From this reading Anything less like a saint in daily life one could hardly imagine.
harmlesslyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrmləsli/
in a harmless manner
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
harnessverbUS /ˈhɑːrnəs/
put a harness
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
homelyadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmli/
lacking in physical beauty or proportion
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Anything less like a saint in daily life one could hardly imagine.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Anything less like a saint in daily life one could hardly imagine.
infectiousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfekʃəs/
caused by infection or capable of causing infection
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
jokesnounUS /dʒoʊks/
plural of “joke” — a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
Kenneth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
kite-flying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
the sound of laughing
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Anything less like a saint in daily life one could hardly imagine.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Anything less like a saint in daily life one could hardly imagine.
hear with intention
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
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 MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
the force of workers available
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
mumpsnounUS /mʌmps/
an acute contagious viral disease characterized by fever and by swelling of the parotid glands
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
naturesnounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/
plural of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
not any; not one
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Anything less like a saint in daily life one could hardly imagine.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
and nothing more
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
phasesnounUS /ˈfeɪzəz/
plural of “phase” — any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
pigsnounUS /pɪɡz/
plural of “pig” — domestic swine
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
compacted by ironing
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
provisionnounUS /prəˈvɪʒən/
a stipulated condition
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
rowingnounUS /ˈroʊɪŋ/
the act of rowing as a sport
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
From this reading Anything less like a saint in daily life one could hardly imagine.
Identical; not different.
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
sandsnounUS /sændz/
the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
scalenounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
schoolboynounUS /ˈskuːlbɔɪ/
a boy attending school
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
strapsnounUS /stræps/
plural of “strap” — an elongated leather strip (or a strip of similar material) for binding things together or holding something in position
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
strengthenverbUS /ˈstreŋθən/
make strong or stronger
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
strenuousadjectiveUS /ˈstrenjuːəs/
characterized by or performed with much energy or force
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
the act of swimming
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
carry out
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading MANY FORMS OF GRACE We have glanced at the higher phases of Kenneth Blair's character, the more homely ones were no less strenuous and striking.
at the time that
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Out of harness, on the sands or in the sea, with the brown men and boys and his own, or up the hills after pigs and goats, he let himself go with an abandon which only helped to brace the straps when he geared again.
a Caucasian
From this reading He set them to football, cricket, boxing, and fencing, for all of which his foresight had made provision, kite-flying on a scale so gigantic as to set the natives gaping, rowing, swimming--anything and everything that might harmlessly take the place of the excitements their savage natures craved, and which served at the same time to strengthen the bonds between white and brown, he pressed into the service.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In his love of fun and frolic he was a big, clean-hearted schoolboy, full of jokes, and with a laugh that did one good to listen to and was as infectious as the mumps.
