23
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BUTTERFLIES AND BEETLES August 23d.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
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 Silently they slip under the keel, at the bottom of the hold, in all the holes, sawing, nailing, repairing.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BUTTERFLIES AND BEETLES August 23d.
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
arsenalsnounUS /ˈɑːrsənəlz/
plural of “arsenal” — all the weapons and equipment that a country has
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
AugustnounUS /ˈɑːɡəst/
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading BUTTERFLIES AND BEETLES August 23d.
basketsnounUS /ˈbæskəts/
plural of “basket” — a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
BEETLESnounUS /ˈbiːtəlz/
plural of “beetle” — insect having biting mouthparts and front wings modified to form horny covers overlying the membranous rear wings
From this reading BUTTERFLIES AND BEETLES August 23d.
bottomnounUS /ˈbɑːtəm/
the lower side of anything
From this reading Silently they slip under the keel, at the bottom of the hold, in all the holes, sawing, nailing, repairing.
bringingnounUS /ˈbrɪŋɪŋ/
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
BUTTERFLIESnounUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪz/
plural of “butterfly” — diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wings
From this reading BUTTERFLIES AND BEETLES August 23d.
Chrysantheme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
dnounUS /diː/
a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets
From this reading BUTTERFLIES AND BEETLES August 23d.
dawnnounUS /dɔːn/
the first light of day
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
dinnersnounUS /ˈdɪnərz/
plural of “dinner” — the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
Diou-djen-dji
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
docknounUS /dɑːk/
an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
docksnounUS /dɑːks/
plural of “dock” — an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial
From this reading It is dreary work in these docks.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading It is dreary work in these docks.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
excuseverbUS /ɪksˈkjuːs/
accept an excuse for
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
ferretingverbUS /ˈferətɪŋ/
-ing form of “ferret” — hound or harry relentlessly
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
gourdsnounUS /ɡɔːrdz/
plural of “gourd” — bottle made from the dried shell of a bottle gourd
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
holdverbUS /hoʊld/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Silently they slip under the keel, at the bottom of the hold, in all the holes, sawing, nailing, repairing.
holesnounUS /hoʊlz/
plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something
From this reading Silently they slip under the keel, at the bottom of the hold, in all the holes, sawing, nailing, repairing.
hurriedadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːrid/
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
invadeverbUS /ˌɪnˈveɪd/
march aggressively into another's territory by military force for the purposes of conquest and occupation
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is dreary work in these docks.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is dreary work in these docks.
JapanesenounUS /ˌdʒæpəˈniːz/
a native or inhabitant of Japan
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
keelnounUS /kiːl/
a projection or ridge that suggests a keel
From this reading Silently they slip under the keel, at the bottom of the hold, in all the holes, sawing, nailing, repairing.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
legionnounUS /ˈliːdʒən/
archaic terms for army
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
mannernounUS /ˈmænər/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
nailingverbUS /ˈneɪlɪŋ/
-ing form of “nail” — attach something somewhere by means of nails
From this reading Silently they slip under the keel, at the bottom of the hold, in all the holes, sawing, nailing, repairing.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
prolongedadjectiveUS /prəˈlɔːŋd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
ratsnounUS /ræts/
plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
remindsverbUS /riˈmaɪndz/
third-person singular of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
repairingverbUS /rɪˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “repair” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading Silently they slip under the keel, at the bottom of the hold, in all the holes, sawing, nailing, repairing.
sawingverbUS /ˈsɔːɪŋ/
-ing form of “saw” — cut with a saw
From this reading Silently they slip under the keel, at the bottom of the hold, in all the holes, sawing, nailing, repairing.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
SilentlyadverbUS /ˈsaɪləntli/
without speaking
From this reading Silently they slip under the keel, at the bottom of the hold, in all the holes, sawing, nailing, repairing.
slipverbUS /slɪp/
move stealthily
From this reading Silently they slip under the keel, at the bottom of the hold, in all the holes, sawing, nailing, repairing.
sojournnounUS /ˈsoʊdʒərn/
a temporary stay (e.g., as a guest)
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Silently they slip under the keel, at the bottom of the hold, in all the holes, sawing, nailing, repairing.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
Triomphante
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Silently they slip under the keel, at the bottom of the hold, in all the holes, sawing, nailing, repairing.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The prolonged sojourn of the Triomphante in the dock, and the distance of our dwelling from the town, have been my excuse these last two or three days for not going up to Diou-djen-dji to see Chrysantheme.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading It is dreary work in these docks.
workingmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
workmennounUS /ˈwɜːrkmɪn/
plural of “workman” — an employee who performs manual or industrial labor
From this reading At early dawn a legion of little Japanese workmen invade us, bringing their dinners in baskets and gourds like the workingmen in our arsenals, but with a poor, shabby appearance, and a ferreting, hurried manner which reminds one of rats.
