AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
Ainslie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
builtadjectiveUS /bɪlt/
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
burnsnounUS /bɜːrnz/
United States comedian and film actor (1896-1996)
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
candlenounUS /ˈkændəl/
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
ComeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
containsverbUS /kənˈteɪnz/
third-person singular of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
DialnounUS /ˈdaɪəl/
the face of a timepiece; graduated to show the hours
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
dueadjectiveUS /duː/
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
earlieradverbUS /ˈɜːrliər/
earlier in time; previously
From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
editionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published
From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
editionsnounUS /ɪˈdɪʃənz/
plural of “edition” — the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published
From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
editorsnounUS /ˈedɪtərz/
plural of “editor” — a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
endsnounUS /endz/
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
FairadjectiveUS /fer/
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
ferryverbUS /ˈferi/
transport from one place to another
From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.
FewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
FigsnounUS /fɪɡz/
plural of “fig” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
foesnounUS /foʊz/
plural of “foe” — an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
givesnounUS /ɡɪvz/
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/
destroyed or killed
From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.
housesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
includedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdəd/
enclosed in the same envelope or package
From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
lovelyadjectiveUS /ˈlʌvli/
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
merryadjectiveUS /ˈmeri/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.
MirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
ohnounUS /oʊ/
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.
palacenounUS /ˈpæləs/
a large and stately mansion
From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
Pearson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
permissionnounUS /pərˈmɪʃən/
approval to do something
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
poemsnounUS /ˈpoʊəmz/
plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
PoetrynounUS /ˈpoʊətri/
literature in metrical form
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
Reedy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
republishverb
publish again
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
rocknounUS /rɑːk/
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
SafeadjectiveUS /seɪf/
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
sandnounUS /sænd/
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
shiningadjectiveUS /ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
standverbUS /stænd/
be standing; be upright
From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
ThanksnounUS /θæŋks/
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
ThistlesnounUS /ˈθɪsəlz/
plural of “thistle” — any of numerous plants of the family Compositae and especially of the genera Carduus and Cirsium and Onopordum having prickly-edged leaves
From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
uglyadjectiveUS /ˈʌɡli/
displeasing to the senses
From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
VanitynounUS /ˈvænəti/
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
variousadjectiveUS /ˈveriəs/
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
