used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
alterationsnounUS /ˌɔːltərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “alteration” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
amendations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These amendations appear in this new edition, but I have left the bulk of the book as it stood.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading These amendations appear in this new edition, but I have left the bulk of the book as it stood.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
beastlyadjectiveUS /ˈbiːstliː/
(informal) very unpleasant
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
bedclothesnoun
coverings that are used on a bed
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
beernounUS /bɪr/
a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
bitingadjectiveUS /ˈbaɪtɪŋ/
capable of wounding
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading These amendations appear in this new edition, but I have left the bulk of the book as it stood.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
bulknounUS /bʌlk/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading These amendations appear in this new edition, but I have left the bulk of the book as it stood.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
coatedadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊtəd/
having a coating; covered with an outer layer or film; often used in combination
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
daisiesnounUS /ˈdeɪziz/
plural of “daisy” — any of numerous composite plants having flower heads with well-developed ray flowers usually arranged in a single whorl
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
recognizable; marked
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
the act of consuming liquids
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
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 The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published
From this reading These amendations appear in this new edition, but I have left the bulk of the book as it stood.
emeraldnounUS /ˈemrəld/
a green transparent form of beryl; highly valued as a gemstone
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
divisible by two
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
fourteennounUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
fumblingadjectiveUS /ˈfʌmbəlɪŋ/
showing lack of skill or aptitude
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
in a gradual manner
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
gloatedverbUS /ˈɡloʊtɪd/
past form of “gloat” — dwell on with satisfaction
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
greasyadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːsi/
containing an unusual amount of grease or oil
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
gropedverbUS /ɡroʊpt/
past form of “grope” — feel about uncertainly or blindly
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
grumblingnounUS /ˈɡrʌmbəlɪŋ/
a loud low dull continuous noise
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
Harlech
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harlech, North Wales.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading These amendations appear in this new edition, but I have left the bulk of the book as it stood.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
I'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
includingverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/
-ing form of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
inexcusableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnɪksˈkjuːzəbəl/
without excuse or justification
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading These amendations appear in this new edition, but I have left the bulk of the book as it stood.
jamverbUS /dʒæm/
press tightly together or cram
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
and nothing more
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
kidnappingnounUS /ˈkɪdnæpɪŋ/
(law) the unlawful act of capturing and carrying away a person against their will and holding them in false imprisonment
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
KnottedadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːtɪd/
tied with a knot
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
immediately past
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading These amendations appear in this new edition, but I have left the bulk of the book as it stood.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
a room where books are kept
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
LoversnounUS /ˈlʌvərz/
plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
mazesnounUS /ˈmeɪzɪz/
plural of “maze” — complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
metrenounUS /ˈmiːtər/
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
monstrousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːnstrəs/
abnormally large
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
muddlingverbUS /ˈmʌdəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “muddle” — make into a puddle
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
mum-mumbling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading These amendations appear in this new edition, but I have left the bulk of the book as it stood.
not any; not one
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Harlech, North Wales.
nurserynounUS /ˈnɜːrsəri/
a child's room for a baby
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
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 But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
phrasesnounUS /ˈfreɪzəz/
plural of “phrase” — an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
literature in metrical form
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
proofsnounUS /pruːfs/
plural of “proof” — any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
Remorsefullyadverb
in a rueful manner
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
rhymesnounUS /raɪmz/
plural of “rhyme” — correspondence in the sounds of two or more lines (especially final sounds)
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
precisely, exactly
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
roundedadjectiveUS /ˈraʊndəd/
curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
cut with a saw
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
servingnounUS /ˈsɜːrvɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/
a descent as through liquid (especially through water)
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
slave-driver's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
snatchedverbUS /snætʃt/
past form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
in the near future
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading These amendations appear in this new edition, but I have left the bulk of the book as it stood.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
suppressionnounUS /səˈpreʃən/
the failure to develop some part or organ
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
textnounUS /tekst/
the words of something written
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading These amendations appear in this new edition, but I have left the bulk of the book as it stood.
thongnounUS /θɔːŋ/
leather strip that forms the flexible part of a whip
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
tragicadjectiveUS /ˈtrædʒɪk/
very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
twistingnounUS /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
WalesnounUS /weɪlz/
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; during Roman times the region was known as Cambria
From this reading Harlech, North Wales.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
look attentively
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
at the time that
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
whiskynounUS /ˈwɪski/
a liquor made from fermented mash of grain
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
a Caucasian
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But suddenly I saw the bright green cover Of a thin pretty book right down below; I snatched it up and turned the pages over, To find it full of poetry, and so Put it down my neck with quick hands like a lover And turned to watch if the old man saw it go.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading I took the book to bed with me and gloated, Learning the lines that seemed to sound most grand, So soon the pretty emerald green was coated With jam and greasy marks from my hot hand, While round the nursery for long months there floated Wonderful words no one could understand.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The book was full of funny muddling mazes Each rounded off into a lovely song, And most extraordinary and monstrous phrases Knotted with rhymes like a slave-driver's thong, And metre twisting like a chain of daisies With great big splendid words a sentence long.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
the act of creating written works
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading When these poems, written between the ages of fourteen and twenty, first appeared, I was serving in France and had no leisure for getting the final proofs altogether as I wanted them.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The same year, but too late, I decided on several alterations in the text, including the suppression of two small poems inexcusable even as early work.
a late time of life
From this reading And as I groped, the whole time I was thinking About the tragic poem I'd been writing-- An old man's life of beer and whisky drinking, His years of kidnapping and wicked fighting; And how at last, into a fever sinking, Remorsefully he died, his bedclothes biting.
youngestadjectiveUS /ˈjʌŋɡəst/
superlative of “young” — (used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The youngest poet down the shelves was fumbling In a dim library, just behind the chair From which the ancient poet was mum-mumbling A song about some Lovers at a Fair, Pulling his long white beard and gently grumbling That rhymes were beastly things and never there.
