used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The following pages are not the product of an overworked imagination, but a record of actual happenings.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading The following pages are not the product of an overworked imagination, but a record of actual happenings.
adjacentadjectiveUS /əˈdʒeɪsənt/
nearest in space or position; immediately adjoining without intervening space
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The following pages are not the product of an overworked imagination, but a record of actual happenings.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The following pages are not the product of an overworked imagination, but a record of actual happenings.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The following pages are not the product of an overworked imagination, but a record of actual happenings.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
give encouragement to
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
constructedverbUS /kənˈstrʌktəd/
past form of “construct” — make by combining materials and parts
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
cracklingnounUS /ˈkræklɪŋ/
the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
creakedverbUS /kriːkt/
past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/
plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
fellowshipnounUS /ˈfeloʊʃɪp/
an association of people who share common beliefs or activities
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
firesides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The following pages are not the product of an overworked imagination, but a record of actual happenings.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
gladdenedadjective
made joyful
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
gleenounUS /ɡliː/
great merriment
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
happeningsnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋz/
plural of “happening” — an event that happens
From this reading The following pages are not the product of an overworked imagination, but a record of actual happenings.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
helpsnounUS /helps/
plural of “help” — the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading The following pages are not the product of an overworked imagination, but a record of actual happenings.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
inspirationnounUS /ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən/
arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
literaladjectiveUS /ˈlɪtərəl/
being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
engage in
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
merrimentnoun
a gay feeling
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The following pages are not the product of an overworked imagination, but a record of actual happenings.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
oiledadjectiveUS /ɔɪld/
treated with oil
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
overworkedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈwɜːrkt/
past form of “overwork” — use too much
From this reading The following pages are not the product of an overworked imagination, but a record of actual happenings.
plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading The following pages are not the product of an overworked imagination, but a record of actual happenings.
go across or through
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
personages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
potnounUS /pɑːt/
metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
productnounUS /ˈprɑːdəkt/
commodities offered for sale
From this reading The following pages are not the product of an overworked imagination, but a record of actual happenings.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
realizesverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪzɪz/
third-person singular of “realize” — be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading The following pages are not the product of an overworked imagination, but a record of actual happenings.
reviewnounUS /ˌriːˈvjuː/
a new appraisal or evaluation
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
plural of “soul” — the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
spontaneousadjectiveUS /spɑːnˈteɪniəs/
happening or arising without apparent external cause
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
thornsnounUS /θɔːrnz/
plural of “thorn” — something that causes irritation and annoyance
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
TravelernounUS /ˈtrævələr/
a person who changes location
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading However, the author realizes that certain serious and literal souls are so constructed that what to others is a source of glee and merriment, is to them but “the crackling of thorns under a pot.”
at the time that
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
which person or people
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
belonging to which person
From this reading The characters who pass in review before the reader are real personages whose various experiences have gladdened many adjacent firesides.
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading It has oiled the thinking machinery when it creaked and provided inspiration for that spontaneous good fellowship which helps so much to make life worth living.
YankeenounUS /ˈjæŋki/
an American who lives in the North (especially during the American Civil War)
From this reading The dry wit of the New England Yankee has done much to cheer the Lonely Traveler on his way.
