AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At our table were represented knit goods, groceries, cutlery, hardware, crockery, and guns.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At our table were represented knit goods, groceries, cutlery, hardware, crockery, and guns.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
BostonnounUS /ˈbɑːstən/
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading I used to sell them notions when they were in Boston, and they were nice men to do business with.
Bros
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
ButlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
carenounUS /ker/
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
ChicagonounUS /ʃəˈkɑːɡoʊ/
largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
crockerynounUS /ˈkrɑːkəri/
tableware (eating and serving dishes) collectively
From this reading At our table were represented knit goods, groceries, cutlery, hardware, crockery, and guns.
cutlerynounUS /ˈkʌtləri/
a cutting implement; a tool for cutting
From this reading At our table were represented knit goods, groceries, cutlery, hardware, crockery, and guns.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
dinner-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
discussedverbUS /dɪˈskʌst/
past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I used to sell them notions when they were in Boston, and they were nice men to do business with.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
dry-goods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
entertainingadjectiveUS /ˌentərˈteɪnɪŋ/
agreeably diverting
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
feelverbUS /fiːl/
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
firmsnounUS /fɜːrmz/
plural of “firm” — the members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
flowedverbUS /floʊd/
past form of “flow” — move or progress freely as if in a stream
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
flyverbUS /flaɪ/
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
foresawverbUS /ˌfɔːrˈsɔː/
inflected form of “foresee” — realize beforehand
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
freelyadverbUS /ˈfriːli/
in a free manner
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
goodsnounUS /ɡʊdz/
plural of “good” — benefit
From this reading At our table were represented knit goods, groceries, cutlery, hardware, crockery, and guns.
groceriesnounUS /ˈɡroʊsəriz/
plural of “grocery” — a marketplace where groceries are sold
From this reading At our table were represented knit goods, groceries, cutlery, hardware, crockery, and guns.
gunsnounUS /ɡʌnz/
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading At our table were represented knit goods, groceries, cutlery, hardware, crockery, and guns.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
hardwarenounUS /ˈhɑːrdwer/
major items of military weaponry (as tanks or missile)
From this reading At our table were represented knit goods, groceries, cutlery, hardware, crockery, and guns.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
informationnounUS /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/
a message received and understood
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
JokesnounUS /dʒoʊks/
plural of “joke” — a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
knitverbUS /nɪt/
make (textiles) by knitting
From this reading At our table were represented knit goods, groceries, cutlery, hardware, crockery, and guns.
knowingadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊɪŋ/
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
longest-headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
mentionverbUS /ˈmenʃən/
make reference to
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
necessarilyadverbUS /ˌnesəˈserəli/
in an essential manner
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
NewadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
niceadjectiveUS /naɪs/
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading I used to sell them notions when they were in Boston, and they were nice men to do business with.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
notionsnounUS /ˈnoʊʃənz/
plural of “notion” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading I used to sell them notions when they were in Boston, and they were nice men to do business with.
numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading At our table were represented knit goods, groceries, cutlery, hardware, crockery, and guns.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
pickverbUS /pɪk/
select carefully from a group
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
plentynounUS /ˈplenti/
a full supply
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
representedadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪd/
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading At our table were represented knit goods, groceries, cutlery, hardware, crockery, and guns.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
sellverbUS /sel/
exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent
From this reading I used to sell them notions when they were in Boston, and they were nice men to do business with.
sirnounUS /sɜːr/
term of address for a man
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
storiesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/
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 Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
SundaynounUS /ˈsʌndeɪ/
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading At our table were represented knit goods, groceries, cutlery, hardware, crockery, and guns.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I used to sell them notions when they were in Boston, and they were nice men to do business with.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
thick-headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
travelingnounUS /ˈtrævəlɪŋ/
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading I used to sell them notions when they were in Boston, and they were nice men to do business with.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At our table were represented knit goods, groceries, cutlery, hardware, crockery, and guns.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Jokes are necessarily plenty; stories fly about freely, but the man must be very thick-headed who does not pick up bits of information that he is the better for knowing.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I used to sell them notions when they were in Boston, and they were nice men to do business with.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A number of traveling men around a Sunday dinner-table, when they feel sure it is going to be a good dinner, is about as entertaining a company as any business man would care to be in.
YesnounUS /jes/
an affirmative
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
YorknounUS /jɔːrk/
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading When the the jokes had flowed about, and firms were being discussed, I heard the dry-goods man say: “Yes, sir, if I wanted to point out two of the longest-headed men who foresaw the coming change in doing business I would mention Butler Bros., of Chicago and New York.
