adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading You might almost think they had a soul.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Cats and Nonconformists seem to me the only things in this world possessed of a practicable working conscience.
animalsnounUS /ˈænəməlz/
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
anxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/
eagerly desirous
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
catnounUS /kæt/
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
CatsnounUS /kæts/
plural of “cat” — feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
chancenounUS /tʃæns/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
consciencenounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəns/
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading Cats and Nonconformists seem to me the only things in this world possessed of a practicable working conscience.
detectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtektəd/
perceived or discerned
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
entertainverbUS /ˌentərˈteɪn/
provide entertainment for
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
givesnounUS /ɡɪvz/
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading You might almost think they had a soul.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
houseboatnounUS /ˈhaʊsboʊt/
a barge that is designed and equipped for use as a dwelling
From this reading "Only this morning I was watching that tortoise-shell of yours on the houseboat.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
Jephson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
meanverbUS /miːn/
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading You might almost think they had a soul.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading "Only this morning I was watching that tortoise-shell of yours on the houseboat.
nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/
no person; not anyone
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
NonconformistsnounUS /ˌnɑːnkənˈfɔːrməsts/
plural of “nonconformist” — a Protestant in England who is not a member of the Church of England
From this reading Cats and Nonconformists seem to me the only things in this world possessed of a practicable working conscience.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
noticenounUS /ˈnoʊtəs/
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
novelnounUS /ˈnɑːvəl/
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Only this morning I was watching that tortoise-shell of yours on the houseboat.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Cats and Nonconformists seem to me the only things in this world possessed of a practicable working conscience.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
plotnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Cats and Nonconformists seem to me the only things in this world possessed of a practicable working conscience.
practicableadjectiveUS /ˈpræktəkəbəl/
usable for a specific purpose
From this reading Cats and Nonconformists seem to me the only things in this world possessed of a practicable working conscience.
pretendverbUS /priˈtend/
make believe with the intent to deceive
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
promptverbUS /prɑːmpt/
give an incentive for action
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
puntverbUS /pʌnt/
kick the ball
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
remarkedverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkt/
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
respectnounUS /rɪˈspekt/
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
seemverbUS /siːm/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Cats and Nonconformists seem to me the only things in this world possessed of a practicable working conscience.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
soulnounUS /soʊl/
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading You might almost think they had a soul.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading You might almost think they had a soul.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Cats and Nonconformists seem to me the only things in this world possessed of a practicable working conscience.
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading You might almost think they had a soul.
thinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Cats and Nonconformists seem to me the only things in this world possessed of a practicable working conscience.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
tortoise-shell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only this morning I was watching that tortoise-shell of yours on the houseboat.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
WatchverbUS /wɑːtʃ/
look attentively
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
watchingnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃɪŋ/
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading "Only this morning I was watching that tortoise-shell of yours on the houseboat.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Cats," remarked Jephson to me, one afternoon, as we sat in the punt discussing the plot of our novel, "cats are animals for whom I entertain a very great respect.
workingadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrkɪŋ/
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Cats and Nonconformists seem to me the only things in this world possessed of a practicable working conscience.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Cats and Nonconformists seem to me the only things in this world possessed of a practicable working conscience.
wrongadjectiveUS /rɔːŋ/
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Watch a cat doing something mean and wrong--if ever one gives you the chance; notice how anxious she is that nobody should see her doing it; and how prompt, if detected, to pretend that she was not doing it--that she was not even thinking of doing it--that, as a matter of fact, she was just about to do something else, quite different.
yourspronounUS /jʊrz/
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading "Only this morning I was watching that tortoise-shell of yours on the houseboat.
