used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
(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 What makes me talk all day?
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It seems as if too many blots Lived in one pot of ink; But when they’re wet and shiny, They’re pretty, don’t you think?
blotsnounUS /blɑːts/
plural of “blot” — a blemish made by dirt
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
terminate
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
copy-books
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading What makes me talk all day?
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Why does my hair get tangled?
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seems as if too many blots Lived in one pot of ink; But when they’re wet and shiny, They’re pretty, don’t you think?
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
your parents
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Why does my hair get tangled?
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Why does my hair get tangled?
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
I'M
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It seems as if too many blots Lived in one pot of ink; But when they’re wet and shiny, They’re pretty, don’t you think?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
inknounUS /ɪŋk/
a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing
From this reading It seems as if too many blots Lived in one pot of ink; But when they’re wet and shiny, They’re pretty, don’t you think?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
knotsnounUS /nɑːts/
plural of “knot” — a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading It seems as if too many blots Lived in one pot of ink; But when they’re wet and shiny, They’re pretty, don’t you think?
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading What makes me talk all day?
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 It seems as if too many blots Lived in one pot of ink; But when they’re wet and shiny, They’re pretty, don’t you think?
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What makes me talk all day?
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
naughtyadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːti/
suggestive of sexual impropriety
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It seems as if too many blots Lived in one pot of ink; But when they’re wet and shiny, They’re pretty, don’t you think?
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
potnounUS /pɑːt/
metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading It seems as if too many blots Lived in one pot of ink; But when they’re wet and shiny, They’re pretty, don’t you think?
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading It seems as if too many blots Lived in one pot of ink; But when they’re wet and shiny, They’re pretty, don’t you think?
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seems as if too many blots Lived in one pot of ink; But when they’re wet and shiny, They’re pretty, don’t you think?
shinyadjectiveUS /ˈʃaɪni/
reflecting light
From this reading It seems as if too many blots Lived in one pot of ink; But when they’re wet and shiny, They’re pretty, don’t you think?
shoe-strings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
slamverbUS /slæm/
close violently
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
spect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading What makes me talk all day?
tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/
in a confused mass
From this reading Why does my hair get tangled?
express in words
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
they're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seems as if too many blots Lived in one pot of ink; But when they’re wet and shiny, They’re pretty, don’t you think?
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading It seems as if too many blots Lived in one pot of ink; But when they’re wet and shiny, They’re pretty, don’t you think?
tienounUS /taɪ/
neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It seems as if too many blots Lived in one pot of ink; But when they’re wet and shiny, They’re pretty, don’t you think?
precisely as stated
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading It seems as if too many blots Lived in one pot of ink; But when they’re wet and shiny, They’re pretty, don’t you think?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What makes me talk all day?
at the time that
From this reading A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little Folks I’M told I’m very naughty— I almost ’spect I am; But, somehow, when I shut the door It’s nearly sure to slam.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Can you tell why my shoe-strings break And tie themselves in knots, And how it is my copy-books Are always full of blots?
