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AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
all
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From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
alphabet
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From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But look at the “pneumatics” and the “pneumonias” and the rest of them.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But look at the “pneumatics” and the “pneumonias” and the rest of them.
bar
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From this reading Now I'll bet there isn't a man here who can spell “pterodactyl,” not even the prisoner at the bar.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
bet
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From this reading Now I'll bet there isn't a man here who can spell “pterodactyl,” not even the prisoner at the bar.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But look at the “pneumatics” and the “pneumonias” and the rest of them.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Now I'll bet there isn't a man here who can spell “pterodactyl,” not even the prisoner at the bar.
can't
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From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
dance
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From this reading It's like trying to do a St. Vitus's dance with wooden legs.
day
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From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It's like trying to do a St. Vitus's dance with wooden legs.
doesn't
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From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
drunken
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From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now I'll bet there isn't a man here who can spell “pterodactyl,” not even the prisoner at the bar.
fancy
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From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
fifteen
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From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now I'll bet there isn't a man here who can spell “pterodactyl,” not even the prisoner at the bar.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
hundred
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From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
I'll
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From this reading Now I'll bet there isn't a man here who can spell “pterodactyl,” not even the prisoner at the bar.
instead
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From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
invented
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From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's like trying to do a St. Vitus's dance with wooden legs.
legs
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From this reading It's like trying to do a St. Vitus's dance with wooden legs.
letters
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From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's like trying to do a St. Vitus's dance with wooden legs.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But look at the “pneumatics” and the “pneumonias” and the rest of them.
man
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From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Now I'll bet there isn't a man here who can spell “pterodactyl,” not even the prisoner at the bar.
Now
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From this reading Now I'll bet there isn't a man here who can spell “pterodactyl,” not even the prisoner at the bar.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But look at the “pneumatics” and the “pneumonias” and the rest of them.
once
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From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
pneumatics
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From this reading But look at the “pneumatics” and the “pneumonias” and the rest of them.
pneumonias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But look at the “pneumatics” and the “pneumonias” and the rest of them.
present
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From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
prisoner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now I'll bet there isn't a man here who can spell “pterodactyl,” not even the prisoner at the bar.
pterodactyl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now I'll bet there isn't a man here who can spell “pterodactyl,” not even the prisoner at the bar.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
reform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But look at the “pneumatics” and the “pneumonias” and the rest of them.
settle
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From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
silly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
spell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's like trying to do a St. Vitus's dance with wooden legs.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But look at the “pneumatics” and the “pneumonias” and the rest of them.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But look at the “pneumatics” and the “pneumonias” and the rest of them.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
thief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
throw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's like trying to do a St. Vitus's dance with wooden legs.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
Vitus's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's like trying to do a St. Vitus's dance with wooden legs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
wooden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's like trying to do a St. Vitus's dance with wooden legs.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A real reform would settle them once and for all, and wind up by giving us an alphabet that we wouldn't have to spell with at all, instead of this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.
writes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why, there isn't a man who doesn't have to throw out about fifteen hundred words a day when he writes his letters because he can't spell them!
