AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
activeadjectiveUS /ˈæktɪv/
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
aislesnounUS /aɪlz/
plural of “aisle” — a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading "There's a hoodoo on this block," Johnny observed as they were caught in the traffic crush almost in front of their destination.
amountingverbUS /əˈmaʊntɪŋ/
-ing form of “amount” — be tantamount or equivalent to
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
approachedverbUS /əˈproʊtʃt/
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
awenounUS /ɑː/
an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Lofty and Ersten must be the hoodooers, then," laughed Polly.
Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
billowedverbUS /ˈbɪloʊd/
past form of “billow” — rise up as if in waves
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
blocknounUS /blɑːk/
a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading "There's a hoodoo on this block," Johnny observed as they were caught in the traffic crush almost in front of their destination.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
BUYSnounUS /baɪz/
plural of “buy” — an advantageous purchase
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
caughtverbUS /kɑːt/
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading "There's a hoodoo on this block," Johnny observed as they were caught in the traffic crush almost in front of their destination.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
Claus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
ConstancenounUS /ˈkɑːnstəns/
a lake in southeastern Germany on the northern side of the Swiss Alps; forms part of the Rhine River
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
crushverbUS /krʌʃ/
come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority
From this reading "There's a hoodoo on this block," Johnny observed as they were caught in the traffic crush almost in front of their destination.
deliberatelyadverbUS /dɪˈlɪbərətli/
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
destinationnounUS /ˌdestəˈneɪʃən/
the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)
From this reading "There's a hoodoo on this block," Johnny observed as they were caught in the traffic crush almost in front of their destination.
diffidencenoun
lack of self-confidence
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
directionsnounUS /dərˈekʃənz/
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
Ersten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Lofty and Ersten must be the hoodooers, then," laughed Polly.
exclusiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈskluːsɪv/
not divided or shared with others
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
feastingnounUS /ˈfiːstɪŋ/
eating an elaborate meal (often accompanied by entertainment)
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
femininitynounUS /ˌfeməˈnɪnəti/
the trait of behaving in ways considered typical for women
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
fluffedverbUS /flʌft/
past form of “fluff” — make a mess of, destroy or ruin
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading "There's a hoodoo on this block," Johnny observed as they were caught in the traffic crush almost in front of their destination.
furbelowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
HATCHESnounUS /ˈhætʃɪz/
plural of “hatch” — the production of young from an egg
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
helpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
hoodoonoun
(geology) a column of weathered and unusually shaped rock
From this reading "There's a hoodoo on this block," Johnny observed as they were caught in the traffic crush almost in front of their destination.
hoodooers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Lofty and Ersten must be the hoodooers, then," laughed Polly.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
JOHNNYnounUS /ˈdʒɑːni/
“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
JoynounUS /dʒɔɪ/
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
laughedverbUS /læft/
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading "Lofty and Ersten must be the hoodooers, then," laughed Polly.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
LoftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading "Lofty and Ersten must be the hoodooers, then," laughed Polly.
Lofty's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
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 Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
marinernounUS /ˈmerənər/
a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
meetverbUS /miːt/
come together
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
milesnounUS /maɪlz/
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Lofty and Ersten must be the hoodooers, then," laughed Polly.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
observedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading "There's a hoodoo on this block," Johnny observed as they were caught in the traffic crush almost in front of their destination.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
ParsonsnounUS /ˈpɑːrsənz/
United States sociologist (1902-1979)
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
penancenounUS /ˈpenəns/
remorse for your past conduct
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
philosophernounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfər/
a specialist in philosophy
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
pickverbUS /pɪk/
select carefully from a group
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
PRESENTverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
promisedverbUS /ˈprɑːməst/
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
relyingverbUS /riˈlaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “rely” — have faith or confidence in
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
SantanounUS /ˈsæntə/
the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at Christmas
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
SCHEMEnounUS /skiːm/
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
shopverbUS /ʃɑːp/
do one's shopping
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
spankingnounUS /ˈspæŋkɪŋ/
the act of slapping on the buttocks
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "There's a hoodoo on this block," Johnny observed as they were caught in the traffic crush almost in front of their destination.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Lofty and Ersten must be the hoodooers, then," laughed Polly.
There's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's a hoodoo on this block," Johnny observed as they were caught in the traffic crush almost in front of their destination.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "There's a hoodoo on this block," Johnny observed as they were caught in the traffic crush almost in front of their destination.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "There's a hoodoo on this block," Johnny observed as they were caught in the traffic crush almost in front of their destination.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
trafficnounUS /ˈtræfɪk/
the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time
From this reading "There's a hoodoo on this block," Johnny observed as they were caught in the traffic crush almost in front of their destination.
unprotectedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnprəˈtektɪd/
lacking protection or defense
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
venturedverbUS /ˈventʃərd/
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Being a philosopher, however, he kept his mind active in as many other directions as possible, like a child deliberately feasting upon thoughts of Santa Claus though on the way to a promised spanking.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "There's a hoodoo on this block," Johnny observed as they were caught in the traffic crush almost in front of their destination.
WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A SCHEME Johnny, relying like a lost mariner on Polly Parsons and Constance Joy to help him pick out a present for his only mother, approached Lofty's with a diffidence amounting to awe.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In that exclusive shop he would meet miles of furbelowed femininity, but he would not have ventured unprotected into those fluffed and billowed aisles for anything short of a penance.
