adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/
in the past
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
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 I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
AngelsnounUS /ˈeɪndʒəlz/
plural of “angel” — spiritual being attendant upon God
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
arithmeticnounUS /ˌerɪθˈmetɪk/
the branch of pure mathematics dealing with the theory of numerical calculations
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
bentnounUS /bent/
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading That Christmas of Jeremy's ninth year was one of the best that he ever had; it was perhaps the last of the MAGICAL Christmases.
blazedverbUS /bleɪzd/
past form of “blaze” — shine brightly and intensively
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
boxnounUS /bɑːks/
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
capsnounUS /kæps/
plural of “cap” — a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
cherriesnounUS /ˈtʃeriz/
plural of “cherry” — wood of any of various cherry trees especially the black cherry
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
ChristmasnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
ChristmasesnounUS /ˈkrɪsməsɪz/
plural of “christmas” — period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
crackledverbUS /ˈkrækəld/
past form of “crackle” — make a crackling sound
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
detailsnounUS /dɪˈteɪlz/
true confidential information
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
divineadjectiveUS /dɪˈvaɪn/
emanating from God
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
elephantnounUS /ˈeləfənt/
five-toed pachyderm
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading That Christmas of Jeremy's ninth year was one of the best that he ever had; it was perhaps the last of the MAGICAL Christmases.
expectancynounUS /ɪkˈspektənsi/
an expectation
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
factsnounUS /fækts/
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
FathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
fattenedadjectiveUS /ˈfætənd/
(of market animals) made ready for market
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
figuresnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərz/
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
furtheradverbUS /ˈfɜːrðər/
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
GodnounUS /ɡɑːd/
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That Christmas of Jeremy's ninth year was one of the best that he ever had; it was perhaps the last of the MAGICAL Christmases.
HarkverbUS /hɑːrk/
listen; used mostly in the imperative
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That Christmas of Jeremy's ninth year was one of the best that he ever had; it was perhaps the last of the MAGICAL Christmases.
HeraldverbUS /ˈherəld/
foreshadow or presage
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
hollynounUS /ˈhɑːli/
any tree or shrub of the genus Ilex having red berries and shiny evergreen leaves with prickly edges
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
inclinedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈklaɪnd/
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
Jeremy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Christmas of Jeremy's ninth year was one of the best that he ever had; it was perhaps the last of the MAGICAL Christmases.
KingsnounUS /kɪŋz/
plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading That Christmas of Jeremy's ninth year was one of the best that he ever had; it was perhaps the last of the MAGICAL Christmases.
lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
lightedadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪtəd/
set afire or burning
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
magicnounUS /ˈmædʒɪk/
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
MAGICALadjectiveUS /ˈmædʒɪkəl/
possessing or using or characteristic of or appropriate to supernatural powers
From this reading That Christmas of Jeremy's ninth year was one of the best that he ever had; it was perhaps the last of the MAGICAL Christmases.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
marvellousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrvələs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
ninthnounUS /naɪnθ/
position nine in a countable series of things
From this reading That Christmas of Jeremy's ninth year was one of the best that he ever had; it was perhaps the last of the MAGICAL Christmases.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
onlookernounUS /ˈɔːnlʊkər/
someone who looks on
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
parcelsnounUS /ˈpɑːrsəlz/
plural of “parcel” — a wrapped container
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
pencilsnounUS /ˈpensəlz/
plural of “pencil” — a thin cylindrical pointed writing implement; a rod of marking substance encased in wood
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading That Christmas of Jeremy's ninth year was one of the best that he ever had; it was perhaps the last of the MAGICAL Christmases.
plum-pudding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
Polchester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
postmannounUS /ˈpoʊstmən/
a man who delivers the mail
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/
possession of controlling influence
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
remainsnounUS /rɪˈmeɪnz/
any object that is left unused or still extant
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
retrospectnounUS /ˈretrəspekt/
contemplation of things past
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
richnessnounUS /ˈrɪtʃnəs/
the property of being extremely abundant
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
sangnounUS /sæŋ/
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
schoolnounUS /skuːl/
an educational institution
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
seemverbUS /siːm/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
seldomadverbUS /ˈseldəm/
not often
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
snownounUS /snoʊ/
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
splendours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
stockingnounUS /ˈstɑːkɪŋ/
close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
stockingsnounUS /ˈstɑːkɪŋz/
plural of “stocking” — close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
sugarnounUS /ˈʃʊɡər/
a white crystalline carbohydrate used as a sweetener and preservative
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
sumnounUS /sʌm/
a quantity of money
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
thirtynounUS /ˈθɜːrdiː/
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
treenounUS /triː/
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
truthnounUS /truːθ/
a fact that has been verified
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
turkeynounUS /ˈtɜːrki/
large gallinaceous bird with fan-shaped tail; widely domesticated for food
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
vanishverbUS /ˈvænɪʃ/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
waitsnounUS /weɪts/
plural of “wait” — time during which some action is awaited
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That Christmas of Jeremy's ninth year was one of the best that he ever had; it was perhaps the last of the MAGICAL Christmases.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading After this he was to know too much, was to see Father Christmas vanish before a sum in arithmetic, and a stocking change into something that “boys who go to school never have”--the last of the Christmases of divine magic, when the snow fell and the waits sang and the stockings were filled and the turkey fattened and the candles blazed and the holly crackled by the will of God rather than the power of man.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I can give details of those splendours, facts and figures, that to the onlooker are less than nothing at all--a sugar elephant in a stocking, a box of pencils on a Christmas tree, “Hark, the Herald Angels...” at three in the morning below one's window, a lighted plum-pudding, a postman four hours late, his back bent with bursting parcels.
wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
worshipverbUS /ˈwɜːrʃəp/
love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol
From this reading And it is something further--behind the sugar cherries and the paper caps and the lighted tree--that remains to give magic to those days; a sense of expectancy, a sense of richness, a sense of worship, a visit from the Three Kings who have so seldom come to visit one since.
yearnounUS /jɪr/
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading That Christmas of Jeremy's ninth year was one of the best that he ever had; it was perhaps the last of the MAGICAL Christmases.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading I I am sometimes inclined to wonder whether, in very truth, those Polchester Christmases of nearly thirty years ago were so marvellous as now in retrospect they seem.
