adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He stood on the sofa with one ear to the wall in a listening attitude, and brandished a table-fork.
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 Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
attitudenounUS /ˈætətuːd/
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading He stood on the sofa with one ear to the wall in a listening attitude, and brandished a table-fork.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
Bess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Good Old Bess.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
brandishedverbUS /ˈbrændɪʃt/
past form of “brandish” — move or swing back and forth
From this reading He stood on the sofa with one ear to the wall in a listening attitude, and brandished a table-fork.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
drovenounUS /droʊv/
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
earnounUS /iːr/
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading He stood on the sofa with one ear to the wall in a listening attitude, and brandished a table-fork.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
forknounUS /fɔːrk/
cutlery used for serving and eating food
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
GoodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Good Old Bess.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was mousing.
HutnounUS /hʌt/
temporary military shelter
From this reading Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He stood on the sofa with one ear to the wall in a listening attitude, and brandished a table-fork.
inchnounUS /ɪntʃ/
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
layersnounUS /ˈleɪərz/
plural of “layer” — single thickness of usually some homogeneous substance
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
listeningnounUS /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading He stood on the sofa with one ear to the wall in a listening attitude, and brandished a table-fork.
locatedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkeɪtəd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
micenounUS /maɪs/
plural of “mouse” — any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
mobsnounUS /mɑːbz/
plural of “mob” — a disorderly crowd of people
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
mousenounUS /maʊs/
any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
mousing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was mousing.
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
OldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Good Old Bess.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He stood on the sofa with one ear to the wall in a listening attitude, and brandished a table-fork.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He stood on the sofa with one ear to the wall in a listening attitude, and brandished a table-fork.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
pastedadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪstɪd/
affixed or as if affixed with glue or paste
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
pinnedverbUS /pɪnd/
inflected form of “pin” — to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
reckonedverbUS /ˈrekənd/
past form of “reckon” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
seatedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːtɪd/
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
ShinglenounUS /ˈʃɪŋɡəl/
building material used as siding or roofing
From this reading Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
slabsnounUS /slæbz/
plural of “slab” — block consisting of a thick piece of something
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
sofanounUS /ˈsoʊfə/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading He stood on the sofa with one ear to the wall in a listening attitude, and brandished a table-fork.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He stood on the sofa with one ear to the wall in a listening attitude, and brandished a table-fork.
SuppernounUS /ˈsʌpər/
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
table-fork
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood on the sofa with one ear to the wall in a listening attitude, and brandished a table-fork.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
thickadjectiveUS /θɪk/
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He stood on the sofa with one ear to the wall in a listening attitude, and brandished a table-fork.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
wallnounUS /wɔːl/
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading He stood on the sofa with one ear to the wall in a listening attitude, and brandished a table-fork.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Supper was over at Shingle Hut, and we were all seated round the fire--all except Joe.
wheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/
at any time that; every time that
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He stood on the sofa with one ear to the wall in a listening attitude, and brandished a table-fork.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading There were mice--mobs of them--between the slabs and the paper--layers of newspapers that had been pasted one on the other for years until they were an inch thick; and whenever Joe located a mouse he drove the fork into the wall and pinned it--or reckoned he did.
