adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE picture gave Jan great pleasure, but it proved a stumbling-block on the road to learning.
AbelnounUS /ˈeɪbəl/
Norwegian mathematician (1802-1829)
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
Abel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But after the Cheap Jack’s visit his constant cry was, “Jan make pitchers.”
alphabetnounUS /ˈælfəbet/
a character set that includes letters and is used to write a language
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
ambitionnounUS /æmˈbɪʃən/
a cherished desire
From this reading To “make letters” on his slate had been the utmost of his ambition, and as he made them he learned them.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SCARECROWS AND MEN.—JAN REFUSES TO “MAKE GEARGE.”—UNCANNY.—“JAN’S OFF.”-THE MOON AND THE CLOUDS.
armsnounUS /ɑːrmz/
weapons considered collectively
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To “make letters” on his slate had been the utmost of his ambition, and as he made them he learned them.
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To “make letters” on his slate had been the utmost of his ambition, and as he made them he learned them.
blundersnounUS /ˈblʌndərz/
plural of “blunder” — an embarrassing mistake
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE picture gave Jan great pleasure, but it proved a stumbling-block on the road to learning.
CheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading But after the Cheap Jack’s visit his constant cry was, “Jan make pitchers.”
CLOUDSnounUS /klaʊdz/
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading SCARECROWS AND MEN.—JAN REFUSES TO “MAKE GEARGE.”—UNCANNY.—“JAN’S OFF.”-THE MOON AND THE CLOUDS.
coaxinglyadverb
in a cajoling manner
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
confineverbUS /kənˈfaɪn/
place limits on (extent or amount or access)
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
constantadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnstənt/
unvarying in nature
From this reading But after the Cheap Jack’s visit his constant cry was, “Jan make pitchers.”
cryverbUS /kraɪ/
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading But after the Cheap Jack’s visit his constant cry was, “Jan make pitchers.”
dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
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 And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
flingverbUS /flɪŋ/
throw with force or recklessness
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading THE picture gave Jan great pleasure, but it proved a stumbling-block on the road to learning.
GEARGE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCARECROWS AND MEN.—JAN REFUSES TO “MAKE GEARGE.”—UNCANNY.—“JAN’S OFF.”-THE MOON AND THE CLOUDS.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE picture gave Jan great pleasure, but it proved a stumbling-block on the road to learning.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To “make letters” on his slate had been the utmost of his ambition, and as he made them he learned them.
hap-hazard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To “make letters” on his slate had been the utmost of his ambition, and as he made them he learned them.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To “make letters” on his slate had been the utmost of his ambition, and as he made them he learned them.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE picture gave Jan great pleasure, but it proved a stumbling-block on the road to learning.
Jack'snounUS /dʒæks/
possessive form of “jack” — a small worthless amount
From this reading But after the Cheap Jack’s visit his constant cry was, “Jan make pitchers.”
JANnounUS /dʒæn/
the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading SCARECROWS AND MEN.—JAN REFUSES TO “MAKE GEARGE.”—UNCANNY.—“JAN’S OFF.”-THE MOON AND THE CLOUDS.
JAN'SnounUS /dʒænz/
possessive form of “jan” — the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading SCARECROWS AND MEN.—JAN REFUSES TO “MAKE GEARGE.”—UNCANNY.—“JAN’S OFF.”-THE MOON AND THE CLOUDS.
Janny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
learnedadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading To “make letters” on his slate had been the utmost of his ambition, and as he made them he learned them.
learningnounUS /ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading THE picture gave Jan great pleasure, but it proved a stumbling-block on the road to learning.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading To “make letters” on his slate had been the utmost of his ambition, and as he made them he learned them.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading To “make letters” on his slate had been the utmost of his ambition, and as he made them he learned them.
MAKEverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading SCARECROWS AND MEN.—JAN REFUSES TO “MAKE GEARGE.”—UNCANNY.—“JAN’S OFF.”-THE MOON AND THE CLOUDS.
MENnounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading SCARECROWS AND MEN.—JAN REFUSES TO “MAKE GEARGE.”—UNCANNY.—“JAN’S OFF.”-THE MOON AND THE CLOUDS.
MOONnounUS /muːn/
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading SCARECROWS AND MEN.—JAN REFUSES TO “MAKE GEARGE.”—UNCANNY.—“JAN’S OFF.”-THE MOON AND THE CLOUDS.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
necknounUS /nek/
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To “make letters” on his slate had been the utmost of his ambition, and as he made them he learned them.
OFFadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading SCARECROWS AND MEN.—JAN REFUSES TO “MAKE GEARGE.”—UNCANNY.—“JAN’S OFF.”-THE MOON AND THE CLOUDS.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE picture gave Jan great pleasure, but it proved a stumbling-block on the road to learning.
onesnounUS /wʌnz/
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
perfunctoryadjectiveUS /pərˈfʌŋktəri/
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
picturenounUS /ˈpɪktʃər/
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading THE picture gave Jan great pleasure, but it proved a stumbling-block on the road to learning.
pitchersnounUS /ˈpɪtʃərz/
plural of “pitcher” — (baseball) the person who does the pitching
From this reading But after the Cheap Jack’s visit his constant cry was, “Jan make pitchers.”
pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading THE picture gave Jan great pleasure, but it proved a stumbling-block on the road to learning.
provedadjectiveUS /pruːvd/
established beyond doubt
From this reading THE picture gave Jan great pleasure, but it proved a stumbling-block on the road to learning.
REFUSESnounUS /rəˈfjuːzəz/
plural of “refuse” — food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)
From this reading SCARECROWS AND MEN.—JAN REFUSES TO “MAKE GEARGE.”—UNCANNY.—“JAN’S OFF.”-THE MOON AND THE CLOUDS.
repetitionnounUS /ˌrepəˈtɪʃən/
an event that repeats
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
roadnounUS /roʊd/
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading THE picture gave Jan great pleasure, but it proved a stumbling-block on the road to learning.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
SCARECROWSnounUS /ˈskærkroʊz/
plural of “scarecrow” — an effigy in the shape of a man to frighten birds away from seeds
From this reading SCARECROWS AND MEN.—JAN REFUSES TO “MAKE GEARGE.”—UNCANNY.—“JAN’S OFF.”-THE MOON AND THE CLOUDS.
slatenounUS /sleɪt/
(formerly) a writing tablet made of slate
From this reading To “make letters” on his slate had been the utmost of his ambition, and as he made them he learned them.
stumbling-block
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE picture gave Jan great pleasure, but it proved a stumbling-block on the road to learning.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SCARECROWS AND MEN.—JAN REFUSES TO “MAKE GEARGE.”—UNCANNY.—“JAN’S OFF.”-THE MOON AND THE CLOUDS.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To “make letters” on his slate had been the utmost of his ambition, and as he made them he learned them.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SCARECROWS AND MEN.—JAN REFUSES TO “MAKE GEARGE.”—UNCANNY.—“JAN’S OFF.”-THE MOON AND THE CLOUDS.
triedadjectiveUS /traɪd/
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
UNCANNYadjectiveUS /ənˈkæni/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading SCARECROWS AND MEN.—JAN REFUSES TO “MAKE GEARGE.”—UNCANNY.—“JAN’S OFF.”-THE MOON AND THE CLOUDS.
utmostadjectiveUS /ˈʌtmoʊst/
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading To “make letters” on his slate had been the utmost of his ambition, and as he made them he learned them.
visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading But after the Cheap Jack’s visit his constant cry was, “Jan make pitchers.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But after the Cheap Jack’s visit his constant cry was, “Jan make pitchers.”
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And when Abel tried to confine his attention to the alphabet, he would, after a most perfunctory repetition of a few letters that he knew, and hap-hazard blunders over fresh ones, fling his arms round Abel’s neck and say coaxingly, “Abel dear, make Janny _pitchers_ on his slate.”
